Mi'kmaw health navigators hope to incorporate Indigenous practices into P.E.I.'s health-care system

Shelby Arsenault-Ellands is providing health care just a few roads away from where she grew up.

Arsenault-Ellands, a registered nurse, is a member of Lennox Island First Nation. She's now working at the Lennox Island Health Centre as a Mi'kmaw health systems navigator, helping people in her community access services.

"I do a little bit of everything," Arsenault-Ellands said. "But I guess the biggest parts would be helping Indigenous people from everywhere navigate the health-care system.

"That could be mental health, surgery, long-term care, addictions, socioeconomic stuff as well. And just helping people get connected to the services they need." 

Working as navigator, Arsenault-Ellands said she can attend appointments with people who might want an "extra set of ears" in the room when dealing with a physician.

She's been in that position since September. This March, Health P.E.I. signed an agreement to fund half of her position and one more like it.

The positions also get funding from the federal government.

"I think it is really needed for the Indigenous community to make sure, especially being so rural, … that services are connected," Arsenault-Ellands said.

"Obviously we have the Western medicine side of things, but we also have [the] traditional side of things as well that we can help incorporate into people's care plans so that they feel like they're getting the holistic care that they deserve."

Shelly McLean is Lennox Island's director of health services.

She said that sometimes members of the Indigenous community and health care providers can be confused about the non-insured health benefits for First Nations and Inuit.

"It's called 'non-insured' because it provides insurance for First Nations people who do not have insurance through other avenues," McLean said.

"So if someone is diagnosed with cancer, they might not know what is available for them."

McLean said members of Indigenous communities have often felt uncomfortable accessing health services outside their community "because of racism in the past."