Elder-in-Residence Margaret Lavallee recently named the program Ndinawemaaganag, meaning “All My Relations” to reflect the relationships students build with each other and the community. 

An occupational therapy instructor in the College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Mendez was appointed to her OIPC role in 2017. Established in 2015, the OIPC develops interprofessional learning activities where approximately 600 learners from nine programs are put into interprofessional teams to work together over a two-year period.

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Banjo is one of 25 Rady Faculty of Health Sciences students that took part in the Interprofessional Experience in an Indigenous Community this summer. The program is designed to give students the chance to learn about an Indigenous community and its culture while developing collaborative skills with students in different health professional programs.

The students, from the Rady Faculty’s five colleges, were placed in interprofessional teams and spent two weeks living and working on one of six Manitoba First Nations. The program, which is in its third year, is run by the Office of Interprofessional Collaboration (OIPC) and supported by the RBC Experiential Learning Travel Initiative.

Sesan Banjo, student in the International Dentist Degree Program, Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry.

Banjo, who has lived in Canada for over three years, said his placement on Pinaymootang First Nation was an eye-opening experience.

“I could relate to some of the things that were happening there because I also come from a place where so many amenities are scarce, and there is health inequality,” he said. “The Indigenous people are very proud of their culture and heritage, and Africans are also proud of their culture and their heritage. We got to connect that way.”

On the First Nation, the students shadowed professionals in a range of programs – from health centres to schools to personal care homes. Lisa Mendez, interprofessional practice coordinator, OIPC, said it’s up to the First Nations how the student teams will collaborate with the community.

“I really want the community to showcase what they feel would be important for future health care professionals to know,” Mendez said. “For example, the students participate in cultural experiences like pipe ceremonies and sweat lodges, and take part in outdoor activities like fishing and boating.”

Gwen Traverse, director of health, Pinaymootang First Nation Health Program, said there was a need in her community for someone to conduct dental care presentations. So when Banjo arrived, he was tasked with delivering an oral health campaign in the school.

“Dental presentations are something our current therapist doesn’t have time to do. When we have these extra sets of hands, it enhances our programming,” Traverse said. “I really enjoyed having the students out here, and I’ll continue partnering with the university. I think it’s one of the best things that my community has done, because not only are we creating relationships, but we’re also enhancing programming at the same time.”

At the end of each day, Banjo met up with his team, comprising two nursing students and a medical student. They discussed their day, and they’d learn about each other’s training and future plans. 

“We’ve become very good friends,” Banjo said.

Courtney Silvari, student entering her second year of occupational therapy, College of Rehabilitation Sciences.

Courtney Silvari, who is entering her second year of occupational therapy in the College of Rehabilitation Sciences, spent her placement on Lake Manitoba First Nation. Her group, made up of a nursing student and dental hygiene student, split their time between working in the health centre and community involvement. Her group met informally throughout the day to discuss their experiences.

“It’s cool to explore the different learnings and the styles of the different professions,” Silvari said. “It’s interesting to see where there are educational gaps and identify them. It is more clear, for instance, what the nursing students had learned that we hadn’t. I think identifying these gaps helps us build a bridge between the professions and promotes good communication between them as well.”

Before leaving for the First Nation, Mendez partnered with Ongomiizwin – Education to provide orientation sessions and a sharing circle for the students to meet their team members and discuss topics such as racism and its impact on Indigenous health, cultural safety and becoming allies. The team members also met for a post-experience sharing circle.  

The team that visited Lake Manitoba First Nation included Courtney Silvari, occupational therapy student, Alex Leclair, nursing student, and Kayla Mcmillan, dental hygiene student.

The communities of Norway House Cree Nation, Misipawistik Cree Nation, Poplar River First Nation and Hollow Water First Nation also took part in the program this summer.

Banjo said one of his goals heading into the placement on Pinaymootang First Nation was to learn how he could partner with Indigenous communities when he finished dental school.

“I saw the way things were run so it gives me a very, very good perspective as to if I’m going back what I can expect, so the two weeks was a very, very good experience for me,” he said.

For Silvari, the experience gave her a new perspective.

“I am now a lot more open to being an occupational therapist in a First Nations community because I’ve gained a little bit of first-hand experience and knowledge,” she said. “I think that the best way to learn about different cultures is to immerse yourself in them, so I think it’s a really great experience and I would definitely suggest others do it.”

The awards were handed out during the third annual Rady Faculty of Health Sciences Communities & Collaboration Symposium held on the Bannatyne campus. Rady Faculty students nominated people and teams they felt went above and beyond when it came to learning about collaboration in the workplace.

“These awards provide the Office of Interprofessional Collaboration and the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences with an opportunity to recognize those who have had a significant impact on the inter-professional education of our students beyond the academic classroom,” said Lisa Mendez, inter-professional practice coordinator, Office of Interprofessional Collaboration.

There are two award categories, one for individuals and one for teams.

The individual award for Outstanding Leadership in Advancing Interprofessional Education recognizes an educator in a community or hospital-based setting whose unique and innovative contribution has had a significant impact on students’ interprofessional education.

The award went to Annaka Vermeylen, an occupational therapist at Riverview Health Centre.

“Annaka’s passion for collaboration was evident as she demonstrated enthusiasm, commitment, and knowledge within the area. She made it a standard within her practice to incorporate and communicate with other professionals to ensure that her clients were provided with the best possible care,” the award nomination read.

Two team awards for Outstanding Role Models of Interprofessional Collaboration for Patient-Centred Care were handed out. One award went to the rehabilitation department at The Pas Health Complex.

“It was wonderful to be part of a team that is so cohesive and supportive. My learning was enhanced by many mentors on the team, both within and outside the realm of occupational therapy,” read the award nomination.

Lauren Barker with her poster for Elmwood Community Resource Centre’s Awakening Women’s Empowerment Project. Barker, along with Charlene Connors, won the Alan Klass Communities and Collaboration Health Equity Award.

The other award in the team category went to Co-Occurring Disorders Initiative (CODI Outreach).

“My experiences working with CODI have greatly enhanced my understanding of interprofessional collaboration and the remarkable value of effective teamwork,” the award nomination read.

The Communities and Collaboration Symposium was designed to offer an opportunity for learners and community members to showcase collaborative projects. A poster competition also took place and featured 13 projects ranging from psychosocial impact of childhood food allergies to community art workshops.

Two poster awards were handed out. The Community Impact Award ($500) went to SWWAC: Sex Workers of Winnipeg Action and Coalition’s poster Making Things Safer for All Sex Workers in Winnipeg, Treaty 1. The Alan Klass Communities and Collaboration Health Equity Award ($5,000) went to Lauren Barker and Charlene Connors for Elmwood Community Resource Centre’s Awakening Women’s Empowerment Project.