When it comes to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Wellspring Alberta embodies authenticity in its efforts, seizing all possible opportunities to make Wellspring a safe and accessible resource available to all Albertans.
Building inclusive practices at Wellspring
In 2020, Wellspring embarked on a comprehensive diversity and inclusion initiative to examine, guide, and strengthen its processes and practices. Over the course of that year, the organization met multiple milestones outlined in its strategic plan, including working with the Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) to educate and train staff; meeting qualifications to become a CCDI Employee Partner, and providing Indigenous cultural training for Wellspring team members who were interested in helping promote and facilitate Indigenous program engagement at Wellspring.
That same year, Wellspring worked collaboratively with Alberta’s Indigenous nurse navigator to create and launch Wellspring’s Indigenous Cancer Sharing Circle, a program specifically designed to provide a safe, caring, meeting space for Indigenous Peoples living with cancer and their caregivers. Co-led by Elders, the Indigenous Cancer Sharing Circle continues to thrive, meeting monthly and providing support for those who attend.
Wellspring’s quest for best DEI practices has only gained momentum, including its appointment of a Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Roundtable launched in 2021. The committee, comprised of dedicated individuals with various skills and backgrounds, serves to inform and advise Wellspring’s senior leadership team, and to provide accountability measures as Wellspring continues to move its DEI imperative forward.
Internal role to spearhead Indigenous connectivity
In the fall of 2024, Wellspring’s DEI mandate gained further traction with the appointment of an Indigenous engagement coordinator role, created to formalize work already in progress by a Wellspring staff member with Métis heritage. Dakoda Stacey, a social worker with a minor in Indigenous studies, joined Wellspring as a Money Matters coordinator in 2022, and while learning and performing her role as a program leader, she carved out pathways where she could lean into Wellspring’s DEI commitment and fuel her personal passion to work with Indigenous communities.
“It started when I attended a CCDI session on land acknowledgments and that led to my helping Wellspring Alberta revamp it’s land acknowledgment,” said Dakoda. “Then I was honoured to represent Wellspring at the Sisika and Tsuut’ina health fairs, where I learned from others that there was a gap between the need and interest in cancer support, and the follow through of these individuals accessing the resources at Wellspring.” While we have a wealth of resources available at Wellspring, Indigenous communities often aren’t aware of them. Wellspring hopes establishing this new role could bridge that gap, but it requires time, systemic change, and strong relationship building.
Reflecting on her own journey; about what it means to be Métis, and quietly taking in the stories of those she has met along the way, Dakoda became impassioned to overcome these barriers.
“Wellspring’s vision is to ensure that no one has to go though cancer alone, and yet it is evident, especially on reserves, that not only are people not accessing the resources that are available to them – they are going through cancer alone,” she said, emphasizing that this is a complex issue. “Some Indigenous people will not speak of their diagnosis– so they might live through cancer privately, not even telling their families.” This is often connected to systemic racism, generational trauma and a healthcare system that is not culturally aligned.1
The path forward
Now given the green light to make meaningful inroads, Dakoda has formed an internal Wellspring Alberta Indigenous Engagement Committee, joined Wellspring’s DEI Advisory Roundtable, and is designing an Indigenous engagement framework that she hopes will serve as a roadmap for 2025.
“The framework will be heartfelt and authentic, but still an official document. An enmeshment of reconciliation, the 94 calls to action, and decolonization. It will capture Wellspring’s shortfalls, where we’re stepping up, and our plans and commitments for the future,” she said.
While the work of reconciliation is the work of all staff and volunteers at Wellspring, for Dakoda, having it in her job description serves as a platform to launch her long-held belief that through relational and collaborative community connection, she might play a role in elevating the voices of Indigenous community members.
“Being Métis, I have lived experience, authentic knowledge, and a multilayered perspective of both the Indigenous and settler mindsets. In drawing on both, I will work to foster that collective responsibility piece,” she said.
As she lays the foundation for Wellspring’s Indigenous engagement mandate, Dakoda underscores her intent to mindfully approach this work in a good way, incorporating the Indigenous world view with Wellspring’s compassionate intentions.
“My personal vision is to have Wellspring’s priority be connection to community and relationship focused, with an emphasis on consistency, reliability, and humility. I see us entering the reciprocity process with grassroots community conversations initiated with respect, genuine interest, and no agenda. I think it’s essential to bring authenticity and humility; to listen, ask questions, and learn. We start with community connection and keep going from there,” said Dakoda.
The need
The drive for Wellspring to turn its focus toward Indigenous communities comes with facts that indicate a pressing need:
- Indigenous Peoples in Canada have a higher incidence of cancer and poorer outcomes than non-Indigenous Canadians2
- Barriers to cancer care for Indigenous Peoples are significant and include reduced screening, later diagnosis, systemic racism and a complicated healthcare system that is often not culturally aligned1
- In Alberta, over 250,000 people identify as Indigenous and 45 First Nations are represented within 140 reserves. Over 50% of Indigenous Peoples live in rural areas where access to cancer care is further limited3
When it comes to reconciliation, the work is infinite; an ongoing organization-wide journey with many steps, both minuscule and monumental. With the formalization of a role dedicated to Indigenous engagement, Wellspring is moving in the right direction; a meaningful step in a journey for reconciliation.
Visit our Indigenous resources page to learn more about what resources are available for Métis, First Nations, and Inuit people living with cancer in Alberta.
References:
1 (Mazereeuw et al, 2018; Horrill et al, 2019; Letendre et al, 2020; CPAC, 2020)
2 (Beckett et al, 2021; CPAC, 2013; CPAC, 2020; Mazereeuw et al, 2018; McGahan et al, 2017; Witham et al, 2022)
3 (Government of Canada, 2016)
