About the Project

In Canada, the incidence of dementia among First Nations, Métis, and Inuit populations is projected to increase by 273% by 2050, in comparison to 187% among non-Indigenous populations. First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples living in rural, remote, and northern communities (e.g., reserves) and cities often face unique challenges to dementia prevention, assessment, and post-diagnosis care. Communities and residents also have significant strengths and resources that can be utilized or developed to facilitate care. Despite this, little is known about First Nations, Métis, and Inuit understandings of dementia, including the meaning of prevention, assessment, and post-diagnosis care, as well as what existing resources support dementia care efforts in their communities.

This community based project, in partnership with a regional First Nations-led organization in Northwestern Ontario with mandates in health, mental health and addiction, and child welfare, aimed to examine the meaning of dementia, perspectives and experiences related to risk reduction, assessment, and post-diagnosis care among First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples living in Northwestern Ontario, and the existing strengths that can be utilized to improve care. Guided by a Nishnaabe research paradigm and a community advisory of healthcare workers, we conducted 4 knowledge gathering circles and semi-structured interviews with 42 First Nation people. This research helped to identify the meaning of dementia and care among First Nations in Northwestern Ontario while documenting existing resources that can facilitate dementia care. It will help to inform future research to address dementia in this region, with potential applications beyond Northwestern Ontario.

Methodology

This studentship focused on project development and preparing for data collection. This project utilized a community-based research approach, where the researcher worked with Dilico Anishinabek Family Care to determine the objectives and method for the research. A community advisory committee of healthcare leaders was developed, and the research team met monthly as a group to create and launch this project. For instance, the community advisory committee identified which First Nation reserves, out of the 13 they support, where data collection will be held. They also helped to identify effective recruitment strategies. The researcher also worked with Elders to co-develop data collection methods that would respect the cultural diversity of each community we work with.

Findings

While data collection and analysis has completed, the researcher will first disseminate findings to the communities and people involved prior to the public and funders.

Project Outreach

While there are currently no plans to expand this project to other areas in Canada, the findings may help inform similar research in other regions. This study also laid important groundwork for future research and culturally safe dementia care strategies in Northwestern Ontario, with potential applications beyond the region. Additionally, the insights gained will directly inform the researcher’s upcoming PhD research focused on improving culturally safe dementia assessment.

Resources Created

• Results will be shared regionally with community members through a report, social media, health fairs, and community gatherings.

• Results are expected to be presented at the International Indigenous Dementia Conference in Hawaii.

• Results to be presented at a regional conference in October.