Yes, Wellspring’s Indigenous Cancer Sharing Circle is a monthly gathering created specifically for Métis, First Nations, and Inuit adults living with cancer and their caregivers, open to Indigenous people across Alberta and all of Canada. This is not a general support program adapted for Indigenous participants — it is built around Indigenous ways of gathering, grounded in cultural awareness, and co-led by an Indigenous Elder whose presence shapes the spirit and safety of every session from beginning to end. The circle is guided by a foundational belief that no one should have to face cancer alone, and that the support offered should feel familiar, honouring, and genuinely rooted in who you are. For many participants, being in community with others who share both their cancer experience and their cultural background makes a profound difference in how held and understood they feel.
The Elder’s presence is central, not ceremonial in name only — every session of the Indigenous Cancer Sharing Circle opens and closes with the Elder offering prayers, which establishes a grounded, respectful tone that is rarely found in mainstream cancer support settings. The Wellspring program leader then opens the conversation with a brief explanation of the group’s purpose and a question to invite sharing, but participants are always free to engage as much or as little as feels right for them. This co-leadership model — an Indigenous Elder alongside a professional program leader — reflects research showing that Indigenous leadership within health interventions can meaningfully improve health outcomes for participants, according to a recent Canadian study. It is this combination of cultural rootedness and professional support that makes the sharing circle a genuinely distinct form of cancer care for Indigenous communities.
The Indigenous Cancer Sharing Circle welcomes all Métis, First Nations, and Inuit adults who are living with cancer or who are caring for someone who is — and it is open to Indigenous people from across Alberta and all of Canada, so location is not a barrier to joining. It is a monthly gathering, which means there is an ongoing, consistent community to return to rather than a single event, and new participants are welcomed as they find their way to the circle. In some sessions, the Elder and program leader also share information about additional resources — within Wellspring and beyond — that may be helpful to you or your family, so each gathering can offer something new. Wellspring’s vision is straightforward and sincere: no one should face cancer alone, and this circle is one of the most direct expressions of that commitment.
Yes. Published research recognizes that Indigenous people living with cancer have unique supportive care needs that require culturally safe, community-based approaches, and that conventional cancer support programs do not always meet those needs. Studies have shown that culturally grounded sharing circles foster trust, connection, and emotional support, while social and peer support can improve quality of life, reduce distress, and help people feel more informed and engaged in their care. Canadian research also demonstrates that Indigenous leadership—including the involvement of Elders and Indigenous patient partners—strengthens cultural safety, trust, and participant engagement. For these reasons, Wellspring’s Indigenous Cancer Sharing Circle is evidence-informed in its design, not simply culturally thoughtful in its intent.