Indigenous cancer patients now being supported through new group

A new Indigenous-led program aims to improve cancer care in northern communities. Mick Favel has more in this week's Indigenous Circle.

A new group supporting Indigenous cancer patients and their families is hosting sessions in Regina, with plans in place to expand to other cities.

The Grief and Loss program was launched in February and is now in its second cycle.

Grounded in First Nations and Métis worldviews, the group recognizes grief as a holistic experience.

Virginia Bird is a consultant at the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency. She said cancer patients and others affected have called for Indigenous-led supports.

“We wanted to target a population of people that don’t currently have any supports within the agency. This is a first of its kind,” said Bird.

The group meets once a week at First Nations and Métis Health Services in Pasqua Hospital.

The sessions are led by Métis elder Darrell Klyne. He said part of the group’s time is focused on what members are currently dealing with.

“The stages of grief, and what that means to people,” he explained.

“Wherever they are that day, that’s where I am going to focus.”

Breanna Bellegarde was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2024.

Bellegarde and her son regularly attend the support group and said it’s a time when they can express how they feel.

“There [are] a lot of feelings I didn’t want to burden my family with. I always felt like I was already burdening them so much,” Bellegarde said.

“I didn’t want to overwhelm anyone with how I was feeling.”

Bird said Indigenous peoples are more prone to facing later-stage cancers due to inequalities in treatment access and other factors.

The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency is now looking for creative ways to support.

“It definitely does impact the Indigenous community differently. Especially in the north where it is extremely hard to travel for appointments,” Bird said.

A First Nations/Métis cancer strategy is now being developed through collaboration between Indigenous partners, community members, and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency.

Thanks to positive feedback from patients and families, there are now plans to expand to Saskatoon and other cities.

“I feel like this would be great for many others experiencing the same thing as me,” said Lochlyn Bellegarde, Breanna’s son and a grief and loss group participant.

“They could open up about [their experiences] too. This would be great for everyone in Canada.”

The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency said there are plans to continue improving all services to ensure earlier diagnosis and better outcomes for Indigenous patients.

Funding to continue this initiative was made possible through the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan.