Indigenous Palliative Care Course

Who is it for?

The Indigenous Palliative Care Course is designed for anyone who is interested in deepening their understanding of culturally responsive palliative care for Indigenous communities in Canada.

A note on sensitive content

This course is intended for health care providers interested in deepening their understanding of Indigenous histories, perspectives, and relational approaches to care. Because the course addresses sensitive topics such as colonial policies and historical trauma, some learners may find elements of the content distressing.

The course was developed with care to minimize harm. Indigenous learners who choose to participate in the course are encouraged to engage with the material in ways that support their well-being.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the Indigenous Palliative Care Course, learners should be able to:

Describe key moments in the development of treaties and treaty relationships and explain how these relationships continue to shape the present.
Explain how Canadian policies have affected Indigenous peoples and communities over time.
Reflect on how historical and ongoing relationships between Indigenous peoples and governments inform their own understanding of Indigenous perspectives and experiences.
Understand the people who may be involved in supporting palliative care for Indigenous individuals, families, and communities.
Explain the origin and meaning of cultural safety and recognize how cultural humility and cultural intelligence contribute to culturally safe palliative care.
Consider how Indigenous knowledge and perspectives can inform understandings of palliative care.
Describe the role of Elders and explain how palliative and end-of-life care may be understood within Indigenous families and communities, including the influence of historical and legacy effects.
Explore teachings related to dying, death, and ceremony, and reflect on how these perspectives may shape their ongoing learning and approach to end-of-life care in Indigenous contexts.

Provincial editions

To reflect the rich diversity of Indigenous communities across Canada, the Indigenous Palliative Care Course is offered in a variety of editions tailored to specific provinces. Each edition is shaped by local voices, histories, and experiences to reflect the realities of Indigenous peoples in their region.

Ontario

English and French editions coming September 2026

Prince Edward Island

Coming fall 2026

Alberta

Coming soon fall 2026

Newfoundland and Labrador

Coming winter 2026

Course features

Experience learning tailored to your province through locally grounded Indigenous perspectives and histories.

Gain practical approaches and insights to work collaboratively with Indigenous patients and families to improve the provision of palliative care.

The next step on your personal learning journey on Indigenous culture, history, and health.

Hear directly from Indigenous peoples through regionally grounded video stories and teachings.

Reflect on your perspectives through guided activities that deepen cultural understanding and connection.

Earn a nationally recognized certificate of completion.

Experience learning tailored to your province through locally grounded Indigenous perspectives and histories.

Gain practical approaches and insights to work collaboratively with Indigenous patients and families to improve the provision of palliative care.

The next step on your personal learning journey on Indigenous culture, history, and health.

Hear directly from Indigenous peoples through regionally grounded video stories and teachings.

Reflect on your perspectives through guided activities that deepen cultural understanding and connection.

Earn a national certificate of completion.

Delivery mode

Online, self-learning

Self-paced learning: Complete three online, self-learning modules at your own pace (approx. 3 hours of work).
- Module 1: Explore the foundations of relationships between Canada and Indigenous peoples, reflecting on how treaties and government policies continue to influence experiences today.
- Module 2: Learn how concepts such as cultural safety, humility, and intelligence shape palliative care within Indigenous communities and inform more respectful, inclusive practice.
- Module 3: Hear from Elders and community members about death, dying, and traditions surrounding end-of-life care, and consider how these teachings can enhance culturally responsive support.
Learning activities: Engage with short, interactive activities throughout the modules that support reflection and application to your practice.

Learning shaped by province

Each provincial edition will follow this structure, combining foundational content with video stories and teachings from Indigenous peoples and health care providers that reflect regional experiences and bring learning to life.

Course topics

The Indigenous Palliative Care Course will explore key concepts, histories, and perspectives that shape culturally responsive palliative care, including:

Indigenous history

Indigenous–settler relations

Cultural humility

Family roles

Elders’ roles

Treaties

Cultural context

Cultural intelligence

Community care

Historical trauma

Policy impacts

Cultural safety

Wise practices

End-of-life perspectives

Death traditions

Partner organizations

Abegweit Health Centre

Alberta Health Services

Barrie Native Friendship Centre

Georgian Bay Native Friendship Centre

Health PEI

Innu First Nation

Lennox Island Health Centre

Louis Bull Tribe

Miawpukek First Nation

Qalipu First Nation

Stony Health Centre

Course contributors

Course lead

Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux, Indigenous Chair for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada for Lakehead University, member and resident of the Chippewa of Georgina Island First Nation in Ontario