Patient-oriented research and building cultural competency – Indigenous perspectives
Mary, Karmen and Craig are all Indigenous patient partners with experiences ranging from being on the pre-transplant waitlist while on hemodialysis, to successful kidney transplant with jurisdictional issues and living kidney donor experience. The speakers will weave their journeys to highlight their diverse experiences and perspectives on the intersections of patient-oriented research, barriers/access to care and building cultural competencies with the research teams they engage with.
Mary Beaucages’s bio
Mary Beaucage is Anishnaabe from Nipissing First Nation, outside of North Bay ON. Mary has type-2 diabetes and developed end-stage kidney disease in 2013, for which she received dialysis. In March 2015, Mary received a kidney from her cousin. She co-chairs several provincial and national patient councils, including the Ontario Renal Network’s Patient and Family Advisory Council, and the Can-SOLVE CKD Network’s Patient Governance Circle and Indigenous Peoples Engagement Research Council (IPERC). Mary is also a member of the CDTRP. She has been a keynote speaker, panel member and presenter at provincial, national and international nephrology conferences. She brings a wealth of knowledge, enthusiasm and passion to her work. Mary is interested in educating and advocating in matters of Indigenous health, patient partnership, chronic kidney disease research, and organ donation and transplantation awareness.
Karmen Omeasoo’s bio
Karmen Omeasoo aka Hellnback has been an active member of the Canadian music scene for the ladder part of 25+ years. Having helped spearhead the native hip–hop envelope into the Canadian mainstream was one of his main goals as an artist. Warparty, Team Rezofficial are both groups that have done just that they faced every challenge head on to achieve success. Hellnback also has a new challenge one that has tested his will in every direction and that is stage 5 Kidney failure. With a kidney function of 4% HellnBack’s goal now is to spread awareness. Father of 6 happily married to Lisa Muswagon. Kidney failure has not been an easy path but with the support of his wife and children he would like to let you know kidney failure is not a death sentence.
Craig Settee’s bio
Craig Settee is Anishinaabe and Néhinaw (Swampy Cree) citizen of Fisher River Cree Nation and grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He is a living kidney donor to his brother and has participated previously as a patient partner with the Network. He brings this lived experience to the Coordinator role of the Indigenous Peoples’ Engagement and Research Council (IPERC).
Craig has several years of experience working as a cultural support worker, Action Therapist and community organizer with First Nations and inner-city community-based organizations. He is passionate about increasing Indigenous representation and amplifying Indigenous voices to foster better collaborative working relationships. He is a strong believer in person-oriented and community-based research and does so by providing support to share stories, experiences and expertise of Indigenous patient partners. This support as a helper/oshkaabewis works towards increasing Indigenous health and wellness priorities in patient-oriented kidney research by incorporating cultural safety principles and actions into Can-SOLVE CKD Network projects and partnerships.