Diversity Thunder Bay is extremely excited to announce the return of the free virtual workshops series, Moving Forward with Reconciliation with Sandi Boucher and Creating Safe Space, Wednesday November 29 from 12pm-1:30pm via Zoom.

Offering a perspective so often denied non-Indigenous Canadians, speaker, activist and author, Sandi Boucher uses Anishinaabe teachings, metaphors, stories, cartoons, her infectious humour, and her undeniable wisdom to build understanding of and respect for the Indigenous peoples she calls family, friends, and colleagues.

A proud member of Seine River First Nation in Treaty #3 territory in northern Ontario, Sandi is internationally recognized as an engaging speaker, a traditional knowledge keeper, and a best-selling author. She began her speaking career in 2009 with the launch of her first book “Honorary Indian”. Four books later, Sandi and her team are now laser-focused on healing both sides of the eagle feather she so often refers to.

With thought-provoking words, she guides, educates, empowers and encourages people to actively engage in the reconciliation process. Her audiences include First Nation communities, corporations, small to medium size businesses, municipalities, hospitals, school boards, universities, colleges, and participants at countless conferences and seminars.

Designed specifically for First Nation allies, Creating Safe Space discusses the concept of a “safe space”. What constitutes a safe space. What does it include? What isn’t part of a safe space? How do you establish and maintain a safe space?

Informative, interactive, enlightening and engaging. Provided in a safe environment from a trauma-informed perspective.

To register, please email: diversitythunderbay@gmail.com SPACE IS LIMITED – DON’T MISS OUT!

Treaties Recognition Week honours the importance of treaties and helps Ontarians learn more about treaty rights and relationships. By learning more about our collective treaty rights and obligations, we can create greater understanding and nurture relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

Treaties Recognition Week represents one of many steps on Ontario’s journey of healing and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. The week was launched in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (PDF)  to increase treaty awareness and provide students and the public with an important opportunity to learn why treaties matter.

Lakehead University’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives invites you to join Treaties Recognition Week Opening Event – Cross-Cultural Stories on Treaties and Futurities with Dr. Juan Sánchez Martínez and Dr. Jula Hughes on Monday, November 6, 2023 from 10:30 am to 11:30 am.

This event will be held in person and online. If attending virtually:

Register for this event click here.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Additional Resources on Treaties

Walk-a-Mile – We are All Treaty People

An educational five-party documentary series focused on filling knowledge gaps about Indigenous peoples and their histories in Canada. https://intranet.sjcg.net/our-services/corporate-services/indigenous-health/cultural-education/walk-a-mile

Indigenous Voices on Treaties

Watch these videos to hear Indigenous speakers share their knowledge about the importance of treaties, treaty relationships and rights in Ontario. https://www.ontario.ca/page/videos-indigenous-voices-treaties

Understanding the Treaty Relationship: Robinson Superior, Fort William First Nation, and the Crown (Michelle Solomon)

A local context to treaties. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH4og2C7PyQ

National Film Board Documentaries about treaties and Land Claims

https://www.nfb.ca/subjects/indigenous-peoples-in-canada-first-nations-and-metis/land-claims-and-rights/

Any questions, reach out to Janet Sharun at Janet.Sharun@tbh.net or extension 6901.

Congratulations to Janet O’Connor, Rachel Duclos & Liana Iachetta – winners of the quarterly ‘Good Catch’ Awards.

Good Catch Awards highlight individuals, groups or departments who demonstrate their commitment to keeping patients safe by reporting a near miss. A ‘good catch’ (or near miss) is an event or situation that could have resulted in harm, but did not reach the patient because of chance or timely intervention. Reporting these events can help to identify gaps in order to prevent future adverse events from happening.

Janet works in Diagnostic Imaging and caught an incorrect order for a bone scan before the patient received it, avoiding unnecessary radiation exposure to the patient.  Rachel is part of the OR team.  She noted that a patient was missing an allergy band on his wrist although he confirmed he had allergies prior to his surgery so quickly rectified the error and notified the team.  Liana works in the Clinical Lab and found an order for additional bloodwork in a quality check list note that had not yet been entered, saving the patient from missing the extra bloodwork.

All these diligent staff were each awarded a certificate and a gift card to the Goods & Co Market.

New winners will be randomly selected every quarter. Continue submitting your near misses for a chance to win! Near miss reports are submitted through the Incident Learning System (patient safety incidents). Click on the ‘safety reporting’ icon from your Novell home page, or go to the iNtranet and choose ‘Safety Reporting’ under ‘Informational’.

For more information, contact Terry Fodë, Patient Safety Improvement Specialist (terry.fode@tbh.net).

Originally published in the November 2023 edition of the Walleye Magazine (Page 110)

Men’s health is a topic of importance, but talking about it isn’t often part of day-to-day conversation, and this has to change. In speaking with medical experts Dr. Samer Khalil, chief of psychiatry at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) and Dr. Walid Shahrour, a urologist at TBRHSC, three common themes appear across their practices. Here is what they have to say about critical aspects of men’s health that deserve our attention and action.

Break the Stigma

Samer Khalil: In general, one of mental health’s most significant challenges is stigma. A well-balanced mental health is crucial to our health and well-being. Mental illnesses are prevalent and impact a large part of the population. They can affect how we feel, think, manage daily activities, and interact with others. They can affect our emotional and psychological wellbeing and have detrimental effects on our lives and the lives of people around us.

Walid Shahrour: There is also a fear of complications if they seek help. Men don’t want to get screened for prostate cancer or talk to their doctor about having trouble urinating; they don’t want to know if there is an issue. Men need to recognize that it’s okay to have a problem, to advocate for themselves, and to be vulnerable. Advocate for Yourself

SK: All of us can experience mental health challenges across the course of our lives. Although anxiety and mood are the most common mental health conditions, other illnesses, like substance use disorders, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder are widespread and rising. Whether you experience a new mental health problem or it is a recurrent one, it is never too late or too early to seek help.

WS: I’ve found that it is often the individual’s partner who is the one pushing them to seek help. Learn about what you can do to take care of your health. Advocate for yourself and take ownership for your health. For example, the Canadian Urological Association recommends that at age 50, men should have a discussion with their family doctor about prostate screening. So when you turn 50, bring this topic forward to your doctor.

Talk to Your Health Care Provider

SK: There are many mental health services with highly trained professionals willing to listen, and provide support and advice without prejudice. Many interventions, like psychological or social support and medications, can improve outcomes and provide physical, emotional, and spiritual comfort to relieve your distress and deliver interventions that suit your needs and preferences.

WS: Erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, and incontinence are not sexy topics. Talking about them can make a person feel uneasy or uncomfortable, and these issues can cause relationship stress. As doctors, we can help with these issues, but you need to be comfortable talking to us and asking questions.

Ultimately, staying healthy involves proactive self-care, seeking medical guidance when needed, and recognizing that overall health is a lifelong journey that deserves attention and effort. By adopting a proactive approach to their health, men can lead longer, healthier lives. Let’s embrace the idea that taking care of one’s health is an act of strength and take action to make our lifestyles healthier.

For more information, visit cmha.ca or cancer.ca.

Healthy Workplace Month has come and gone in a flash. If you missed any of the presentations throughout the month please feel free to take the opportunity to watch any of the recorded sessions all linked below.

Week One:

Practice Being BRITE-Through Self Regulation HWM 2023

Screen Time & Eye Health HWM 2023

Week Two:

Practice Being BRITE Through Self Awareness HWM 2023

Supporting Ourselves Through Moral Distress HWM 2023

Week Three:

Practice Being BRITE-Through Perspective

Nurturing Mindfulness: Embracing Inner Calm in Everyday Living

Week Four:

Practice Being BRITE-Through Connectedness

Women’s Health: Cancer Screening-What’s In It For You?

Sleep: Good Sleep For Good Health

Week Five:

Practice Being BRITE-Through Optimism

On December 1^st, the Screen for Life Coach will be parked at our Hospital to provide cancer screening services to our employees.

The Coach offers:

• Mammograms to screen for breast cancer. Breast cancer screening is for most women, Two-Spirit, trans and nonbinary people ages 50 to 74 and is recommended every 2 years.

• Pap tests to screen for cervical cancer. Cervical cancer screening is for anyone with a cervix (women, transmasculine and non-binary people) ages 25 to 69, who is or ever has been sexually active and is recommended every 3 years.

• FIT kits to screen for colon cancer. Colon cancer screening is for individuals 50 to 74 years of age who do not have a family history of colon cancer and is recommended every 2 years.

Services can be accessed without a referral and are available even if you have a primary care provider.

If you’re due for breast, cervical or colon cancer screening, call 684-7777 to book your appointment.

Please note that TBRHSC Elevator #1 (Cafeteria — East Entrance) is currently out of service for repairs (by Otis Canada) and is estimated to return to service by Friday, November 17.

The Cafeteria area around the 1st floor of elevator #1 is boarded off for infection control and safety purposes.

Please use the Grand Stair Case, or the other elevators located near the Grand Stair Case, during this out of service period (until November 17).