Résumés
Abstract
This article highlights a collaboration involving seven Métis cancer survivors from Northern Saskatchewan, alongside researchers and staff from the Saskatchewan Network Environments for Indigenous Health Research (NEIHR) and StoryCentre Canada. Over a span of four days at Back to Batoche, a key Métis cultural event, participants worked with StoryCentre staff to exchange their cancer experiences and create their own digital stories. The research team partnered with Terri Hansen-Gardiner, a Métis knowledge keeper, cancer survivor, and advocate, to co-develop the project in partnership with her community. The participants shared insights about the challenges they faced in accessing care and the factors that supported their recovery. The findings from this project reveal that digital storytelling is an important tool for advancing social justice and advocating for policy and program changes that strengthen Indigenous well-being, sovereignty, and self-determination.
Keywords:
- Métis,
- Île-à-la-Crosse,
- Saskatchewan,
- Canada,
- Cancer,
- Health,
- Well-being,
- Community-Based Participatory Research,
- Digital Storytelling,
- Back to Batoche
Parties annexes
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