Building Our Dementia Community Care Bundle: Examining First Nations, Inuit, and Metis Dementia Perspectives and Wholistic Assets for Prevention, Assessment, and Post-Diagnosis Care in Northwestern Ontario

Brittany Skov

Impact

  • The project is expected to help guide more culturally safe dementia care in Northwestern Ontario, supporting better health outcomes for Indigenous communities.

  • Results will illuminate how cultural and social connection and access to healthcare may help influence dementia, inform future programming for the community partner and future research to develop interventions, and inform public policy.

  • Many local participants, healthcare workers, and Elders expressed that this project was greatly needed in the region, showing strong community support and relevance.

“Given that this research provides a foundation for my PhD research, it has also supported my long-term development as a clinical health psychologist and researcher. The award funds have also been used to support project objectives, including honouring community members and Elders’ time through honorariums and supporting the community advisory committee. These components are essential when working in community-based research.”

— Brittany Skov

  • Ontario

  • Studentship

  • Lakehead University

  • Dilico Anishinabek Family Care

  • Mitacs

  • 2024-2025

  • Indigenous Community Mental Health

  • Indigenous Community

About the Project

This community-based project was carried out in partnership with a regional First Nations-led organization in Northwestern Ontario that examines the relationship between connection to culture, social support, access to healthcare, the modifiable risk factors of dementia, and cognitive health among on-reserve First Nations peoples. The goal was to explore how dementia is understood, as well as the beliefs and experiences related to its prevention, diagnosis, and care among First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples in the region. Guided by a Nishnaabe research approach—which is grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing, and emphasizes respect, relationships, and community knowledge—the project was supported by a community advisory made up of healthcare workers and Elders.

Methodology

This project used a community-based research approach, partnering closely with the community throughout its design and implementation. It combined previously collected survey data from 1,302 First Nations people living on-reserve across Canada with sharing circle data from First Nations peoples in Northwestern Ontario. The team collaborated with Dilico Anishinabek Family Care to set project goals and methods. A community advisory committee helped select which of the 13 supported First Nation reserves would participate and advised on effective recruitment strategies. Elders were involved in co-developing data collection methods that respected the cultural practices and values of each community. As part of the research, sharing circles were held with 40 adults from First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities to explore their beliefs and experiences related to dementia care. Data collection is ongoing.

Findings

This study currently does not yet have any findings to report, as data collection is currently in progress.

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 developing dementia prevention interventions.

Resources Created

  • Regional, national, and international dissemination strategies will be discussed with community partners.

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

  • Results to be presented at a regional conference in October 2025.