How Indigenous culture is transforming health care

Navigating the health-care system can be challenging, especially when you have to deal with language barriers and cultural differences. In hospitals and nursing stations across the country, many Indigenous people face these challenges daily. This week on Unreserved, how Indigenous culture is transforming that experience.

Marlyn Cook was one of the first Indigenous doctors in Canada. The former nurse decided to go into medicine after seeing how Indigenous patients were treated by health care professionals, and has worked tirelessly to change it. 

Walking into a hospital when you're not feeling well can be scary, but what if a language barrier prevented you from describing your symptoms? Maureen Den Toom, manager of patient services at Wrinch Memorial Hospital in Hazelton, B.C., explains how a new Gitxsan phrase book is helping doctors better communicate with patients.

Last summer, rapper Karmen Omeasoo, who goes by the stage name Hellnback, received a scary diagnosis — he had stage five kidney disease. Since then he started peritoneal dialysis, and is on the road to recovery. Unreserved's Stephanie Cram visited Omeasoo at Seven Oaks hospital in Winnipeg, where he was receiving dialysis training. 

At the Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, BC, Aboriginal Patient Navigators serve as a bridge between Indigenous patients and their health care providers. The CBC's Jennifer Chrumka explores the impact they've had over the last 10 years. 

This week's playlist: 

Black Belt Eagle Scout - My Heart Dreams 

Hellnback with Mob Bounce - The Spirit