Indigenous Health Navigators
In June 2025, FNHMA announced a multi-year project focused on developing a comprehensive training and curriculum program for Indigenous Health Navigators (IHN).
IHN have been recognized as essential roles within the Indigenous health system workforce. These professionals possess a deep understanding of the complex jurisdictional health landscape and the historical and current realities faced by First Nations patients and families. IHN provide culturally safe and trauma-informed support, acting as vital bridges between community-based health services and the mainstream health systems often accessed in urban settings.
Through this project, FNHMA will support the development of a national network by identifying and establishing standardized competencies that reflect the diverse skill set of the current workforce. These competencies are intended to complement the work of First Nations Health Managers and strengthen the overall health management framework within First Nations communities.
The project will assess the existing landscape of the IHN role, propose a vision for its future evolution, and identify best practices and accredited training opportunities. Additionally, the initiative will focus on the development of core competencies, curriculum, and instructional materials, while delivering an actionable implementation plan to meet workforce needs and enhance career pathways for IHN.
Phase two of the Indigenous Health Navigator Project is to share Bridging Worlds, Creating Safety, an Environmental Scan, Competency Framework, and Strategic Vision for the Indigenous Health Navigator Profession, written and developed by Dr. Pamela Rose Toulouse, Lead Consultant. Learn more about Pam at her bio below.
Bridging Worlds, Creating Safety: An Environmental Scan, Competency Framework, and Strategic Vision for the Indigenous Health Navigator Profession, also known as The Full Report, was developed to support different learning styles and time commitments.
If you want the complete picture, from the crisis of health inequity to the strategic solution, The Full Report is available in multiple formats to make it accessible to everyone:
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PDF for in-depth reading: The Full Read
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PowerPoint for a visual overview: The Full Visual
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Podcast for on-the-go listening: The Full Listen
Explore the format that fits you best and discover how we can bridge worlds and create safety together.
The Report by Parts: Focused Deep Dives
The report is divided into thematic sections that you can explore independently, allowing you to focus on the specific areas that interest you most:
Part A
FNHMA's Unique Capacity to Professionalize the IHN Role
Part B
What's in a Name? The Indigenous Patient Navigator as a Systemic Intervention
Part C
Indigenous Patient Navigator Programs Across Canada
Part D
Bridging Worlds, Creating Safety – A Core Competency Framework
Part E
From Patchwork to Pathway – Charting a National Culturally Grounded Framework for IHN Training & Certification
Take Action: Shape the Future of the IHN Profession
Your lived experience is the foundation of this work. If you have been or are involved in Indigenous Health Navigation, or have worked closely with those in the role, your perspective is invaluable:
Participate in the Project: The FNHMA is actively recruiting participants for regional sessions, focus groups, interviews, and surveys to inform the national IHN curriculum, core competencies, and ethical standards.
Share Your Expertise: You can offer your expertise in areas like Cultural Teachings, Traditional Healing, System Literacy (e.g., NIHB), and Advocacy & Interrupting Racism just to name a few.
To participate in the IHN Project, please complete the Letter of Participation here and return it to Kelsey Thompson, FNHMA Executive Coordinator, at kelsey.thompson@fnhma.ca.
Meet the Lead Consultant
Dr. Pamela Rose Toulouse
Aanii and Hello Everyone,
I am so excited and humbled to be joining FNHMA! I will be the Lead Consultant on the development of competencies/curriculum/courses that are respectfully centred on our amazing Indigenous Health Navigators (IHN) (e.g. Indigenous Patient Navigators, Indigenous Health Systems Navigators, Indigenous Healthcare Navigators, Others). This vision and call for this work comes directly from you – the FNHMA community – and I am honoured to be a part of this multi-year journey.
My name is Pamela Rose Toulouse and I am an Anishinaabe-Kwe from the community of Sagamok First Nation in Northern Ontario. I am so fortunate to have grown up there amongst some of the bestest cousins, aunties, uncles and other relations. I am also very proud to be a wife, daughter, sister, friend and fur mom. I live with my partner Luc and our dog Duke on the beautiful Vermilion River in my traditional treaty territory.
I bring to this role 30+ years of experience across the education continuum from K to 12, Post-Secondary and Administration. I am the author, researcher and developer of over 55 resources in Indigenous Education and Well-Being (e.g. books, chapters, articles, curriculum, standards, policies, webinars, others). I’m also the recipient of the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance Teaching Excellence Award (2021); Inspiring Indigenous Women of Northeastern Ontario Award (2019); 3M National Teaching Excellence Fellow Award (2015); Laurentian University Full Time Faculty Teaching Excellence Award (2014) and the Laurentian University Professional Schools Teaching Excellence Award (2013).
My most recent collaborations and projects have been with the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council and the Maamwesying Ontario Health Team. I have had the honour of working with/for various Knowledge Keepers to inform what cultural safety means and looks like to us. It is these connections and conversations that have led to a variety of wise practices in Indigenous healthcare. And it is these approaches based in meaningful listening and outcomes that I hope to bring.
In conclusion, I wish to say Miigwetch (thanks in Ojibwe) for your time, and I send you the best of light and laughter.
Dr. Pam.
P.S. - I wanted to share a picture of me in my happy place. 🌳