Wiichi’iwewin

Patient and Client Supports

Interpreter Services

Eighty-five per cent of Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre patients, clients, and residents are First Nation, and speak one of three principle Anishinaabe languages which include 19 dialects. Many, particularly the Elderly, speak only an Anishinaabe language. 

The interpreter role has expanded into the Wiichi’iwewin worker role, incorporating enhanced interpreter services, discharge planning support, and patient navigation functions. Some interpreters hold medical interpreter certifications and are trained to provide interpretation, advocacy, and navigation support.  

Interpreter Services are available 24/7, and the Wiichi’iwewin workers manage defined caseloads and support patients, client, residents, families, and care teams.  

Wiichi’iwewin workers help ensure patients have access to culturally safe supports, community services, navigation assistance, and other non-clinical resources that reduce cross-cultural, institutional, and health system barriers. They also provide bi-directional cultural and linguistic interpretation to support care planning and service delivery. Their role is essential to safe and effective patient care. 

Gaziitodamegewatch (Elders in Residence)

Currently, four Gaziitodamegewatch/Elders who work as part of the interdisciplinary care team. They provide patient, client, and resident support, education, counselling, and cultural guidance as part of the care plan. They also support families during critical illness, loss and bereavement.  

Within the Wiichi-iwewin Program, the Elders provide cultural support, guidance, and traditional knowledge to patients, families, staff, and care teams. 

Cultural Awareness

SLMHC has implemented multi-level cultural awareness and training programs for staff across the organization for several years. One program, Bimaadiziwin, reflects Anishinaabe teachings focused on living life in a good way and maintaining balance between mind, body, spirit, and emotional well-being.  

The program aims to embed the cultures and teachings of the region within the organization. It was jointly developed by SLMHC staff, senior management, local First Nation Elders, and the Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution. Advanced levels of the training have also been developed for implementation. 

A second program, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Training, supports culturally safe and culturally responsive care across SLMHC. The program focuses on the diverse cultures represented within the Sioux Lookout region and how culture influences healthcare experiences, communication, and service delivery.

Find out more about this training, which is offered to the public, on our Bimaadizizwin page.

Employment Balance

Currently, Indigenous employees remain underrepresented within the SLMHC workforce, relative to the population served. SLMHC is committed to increasing Indigenous representation across the organization over time.  

Important steps are in place to help meet this goal: 

• targeted Indigenous recruitment initiatives  
• outreach to educational institutions and training programs 
• role model and mentorship programs 
• workforce development opportunities  
• local capacity requirements for capital projects 
• collaboration with economic development agencies, contractors, unions, and community partners  

Indigenous Transitions Facilitator

The Indigenous Transitions Facilitator seeks to integrate provincial, federal and other community health and social support services across the health care continuum. This position improves access to quality care through a variety of providers, both clinical and non-clinical. The Indigenous Transitions Facilitator addresses the physical, social, emotional and spiritual care needs of the client. 

Translation

Approximately 85 per cent of SLMHC patients and clients are First Nation people who speak one of three principal Anishinaabe languages. Many speak Anishinaabemowin as their primary language.  

Some Western clinical terminology and healthcare concepts do not translate directly into Anishinaabe languages. To support safe, accessible, and culturally responsive care, SLMHC developed and published medical lexicons in the three principal languages, incorporating commonly used healthcare terms and symbols. These resources are used by interpreters, care providers, patients, clients, and residents and are available for download as PDF resources (see sidebar). 

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