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.
FNHMA is currently recruiting participants for Virtual Regional Sessions taking place in January 2026. Click here to learn how you can add your voice to this important project.
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:
-
PDF for in-depth reading: The Full Read
-
PowerPoint for a visual overview: The Full Visual
-
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.
Beginning in January 2026, FNHMA will be hosting a series of Virtual Regional Sessions. To participate in an upcoming virtual regional session, please complete the Letter of Participation and return it to FNHMA Executive Coordinator, Kelsey Thompson at Kelsey.Thompson@fnhma.ca. Participants will be invited to join the virtual session on the date and time that best suits their schedule.
Upcoming Virtual Regional Sessions:
-
Wednesday, January 7, 2026, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm (GMT)
-
Thursday, January 8, 2026, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm (UTC)
-
Friday, January 9, 2026, 2026 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm (EST)
-
Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 2026 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm (EST)
-
Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm (CST)
-
Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm (UTC)
-
Thursday, January 22, 2026, 2026 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm (PT)
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. 🌳
Updates
Upon review, it was identified that several citations in the initial report were incorrect. We sincerely apologize for this error and for any inconvenience or confusion it may have caused the authors. We want to ensure that all academic and research work is properly credited. Here are the correct citations for the works referenced in the report.
Corrected Citations
Allen, L., Hatala, A., Ijaz, S., Courchene, D. & Bushie, B. Indigenous-led health care partnerships in Canada. Canadian Medical Association Journal Mar 2020, 192(9) E208-E216; DOI 10.1502/cmaj.190728
Rausch, R. L. (2025). “It's about standing on the right side of history”: Exploring the Role of Indigenous Patient Navigation through Community-based Research in Ontario [Unpublished thesis, Western University]. Scholarship@Western. Retrieved from https://uwo.scholaris.ca/server/api/core/bitstreams/afa9b7b9-e4d1-484a-b7b6-e86885ad0a1a/content
Rankin, A., Baumann, A., Downey, B., Valaitis, R., Montour, A., Mandy, P., & Bourque Bearskin, D. (2025). A multi-site qualitative study to explore and understand barriers and enablers Indigenous community members experience when accessing health and social services: Perspectives of Indigenous patient navigators and Indigenous community members in Canada. International Journal of Indigenous Health, 20(2). https://doi.org/10.32799/ijih.v20i2.43841
Kenjgewin Teg. (n.d.). Your learning journey starts here. Retrieved from https://www.kenjgewinteg.ca/
Incorrect Citations
Allen, L., Hatala, A., Ijaz, S., Johnson-Brol G, & Smylie, J. (2020). Indigenous-led health care
partnerships in Canada. International Journal of Indigenous Health, 15(1), 74-94.
https://doi.org/10.32799/ijih.v15i1.32754
MacLeod, H. (2025). "It's about standing on the right side of history": Exploring the Role of
Indigenous Patient Navigation through Co-Creation and Indigenous Storytelling. Western
University Open Repository. Retrieved from
https://uwo.scholaris.ca/server/api/core/bitstreams/afa9b7b9-e4d1-484a-b7b6-e86885ad0a1a
/content
ResearchGate. (2024). A Multi-site Qualitative Study to Explore and Understand Barriers and
Enablers Indigenous Community Members Experience When Accessing Health and Social
Services: Perspectives of Indigenous Patient Navigators and Indigenous Community Members.
Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/391533794_A_Multi-site_Qualitative_Study_to_Expl
ore_and_Understand_Barriers_and_Enablers_Indigenous_Community_Members_Experience_
When_Accessing_Health_and_Social_Services_Perspectives_of_Indigenous_Patient_Navi
Kenjgewin Teg Educational Institute. (2022). MSW Indigenous Field of Study. Retrieved from
MacLeod, H. (2025). "It's about standing on the right side of history": Exploring the Role of
Indigenous Patient Navigation through Co-Creation and Indigenous Storytelling. Western
University Open Repository. Retrieved from
https://uwo.scholaris.ca/server/api/core/bitstreams/afa9b7b9-e4d1-484a-b7b6-e86885ad0a1a
/content