Honouring Our Health
Walking together to support health, wellness, empowerment, and respectful care for Indigenous peoples and communities.
The Patient Empowerment Program team is deeply honoured to work in relationship with Indigenous leaders, organizations, and communities to share knowledge, listen, learn, and support community-centred approaches to health and wellness. This page honours that collaboration and will serve as a growing home for resources, presentations, recordings, and materials developed and shared through this work.
1. Land acknowledgement and statement of respect
With Respect and Gratitude
We acknowledge with respect the Indigenous peoples, communities, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, leaders, and organizations who have generously welcomed us into conversation. We recognize that health and healing are deeply relational and are shaped by history, culture, community, family, land, language, and lived experience.
We also recognize the ongoing harms caused by colonialism, systemic racism, and anti-Indigenous racism in healthcare. Our commitment is to listen with humility, learn continuously, and support approaches to care that are grounded in safety, trust, respect, and community leadership.
2. About the collaboration
In 2024, Drs. Gabriela Ilie and Rob Rutledge began working in close collaboration with Chief Lorraine Augustine and the Newfoundland Indigenous Peoples Alliance, connected through the National Council of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples. This relationship developed through ongoing dialogue grounded in mutual respect, listening, and a shared commitment to improving health, wellness, and access to supportive resources for Indigenous peoples and communities.
Prior to the formal meeting in Ottawa and the subsequent Memorandum of Understanding, Drs. Ilie and Rutledge were invited to deliver presentations to the National Council. These presentations provided an opportunity to introduce the Patient Empowerment Program model, share knowledge gained through cancer survivorship and chronic disease empowerment programs, and listen to the priorities, questions, and guidance of Indigenous leaders.
In December 2025, following this period of collaboration and relationship-building, Drs. Ilie and Rutledge signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Canadian Congress of Aboriginal Peoples. Through this Memorandum of Understanding, they committed to beginning a series of community presentations to share knowledge gathered from the PEP programs and to offer PEP resources to interested peoples and communities in ways that are respectful, responsive, and guided by community priorities.
3. Guiding principles
Listening First
We aim to listen before acting and to learn from community priorities, knowledge, and lived experience.
Built With, Not For
Our goal is to support work that is shaped by Indigenous leadership and community guidance.
Safety, Trust, and Respect
We recognize that healthcare must be grounded in dignity, cultural safety, relational trust, and accountability.
Practical Empowerment
We share tools that may help people ask questions, navigate healthcare systems, make informed decisions, and care for their wellbeing.
Access and Inclusion
We aim to make resources accessible through in-person, online, and plain-language formats wherever possible.
4. Honouring Our Health workshop
May 30, 2026, Ottawa
Drs. Ilie and Rutledge were deeply honoured to participate in the Honouring Our Health workshop hosted by the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples. This national gathering brought together community members, healthcare providers, educators, advocates, and leaders from across Canada for two days grounded in listening, learning, reflection, and connection.
The workshop focused on addressing anti-Indigenous racism in healthcare and advancing more equitable, respectful, and culturally grounded approaches to care. The gathering included powerful and practical contributions from Indigenous healthcare leaders and educators, including Dr. Patricia Farrugia and Dr. Ojistoh Horn, whose presentations addressed the realities of Indigenous healthcare practice, teaching, advocacy, and the structural roots of anti-Indigenous racism in Canada.
Our contribution focused on sharing the empowerment-based PEP programs and offering them in service, guided by community needs and priorities. We also reflected on what we have learned from Indigenous participants in our programs, particularly the importance of addressing the gap between the healthcare system’s focus on physical treatment and the lived experience of patients navigating that system.
5. Healing Through Community, Not in Isolation
Free PEP Programs for Indigenous Peoples and Communities
As part of our commitment to respectful partnership, health empowerment, and accessible support, we are pleased to offer the following PEP programs free of charge to Indigenous peoples and communities.
These programs are designed to support people in strengthening their physical, emotional, informational, and practical wellbeing. They provide education, daily encouragement, lifestyle guidance, stress-reduction tools, and strategies to help people feel more informed and empowered as they navigate cancer, chronic illness, survivorship, wellness, and the healthcare system.
PC-PEP
Website: https://pcpep.org
PC-PEP, the Prostate Cancer Patient Empowerment Program, is a free, home-based, six-month program for people diagnosed with prostate cancer and their partners or support persons. The program provides daily support focused on exercise, nutrition, pelvic floor health, stress reduction, intimacy and connection, and navigating prostate cancer care.
PC-PEP is offered free of charge to participants. To enrol email us at
rob.rutledge@nshealth.ca gabrielailie11@gmail.com
or
pep@nshealth.ca
CancerPEP
Website: https://cancerpep.com
CancerPEP is a supportive empowerment program for people affected by cancer. It provides practical education, wellness guidance, stress-reduction strategies, movement and lifestyle support, and tools to help participants feel more informed, confident, and supported throughout cancer care and survivorship.
Although CancerPEP is commercially available, we are pleased to offer the program free of charge to Indigenous peoples. To access CancerPEP at no cost, please contact:
rob.rutledge@nshealth.ca gabrielailie11@gmail.com
or
info@cancerpep.com
PEPLife
Website: https://peplife.org
PEPLife is a broader health and wellness empowerment program designed to support people living with chronic conditions or those seeking to improve their overall wellbeing. It offers practical tools related to lifestyle, stress management, movement, nutrition, emotional wellbeing, and navigating health information and healthcare systems.
Although PEPLife is commercially available, we are pleased to offer the program free of charge to Indigenous peoples. To access PEPLife at no cost, please contact:
rob.rutledge@nshealth.ca gabrielailie11@gmail.com
or
info@cancerpep.com
6. Community presentations
Following the Memorandum of Understanding, Drs. Ilie and Rutledge began a series of community presentations to share practical health and wellness information and to offer PEP resources to interested communities. These presentations are intended to be accessible, practical, and responsive to community interests.
Topics may include cancer prevention, chronic disease prevention, nutrition, anti-inflammatory lifestyle approaches, stress reduction, navigating the medical system, asking questions during healthcare encounters, and supporting individuals and families to feel more empowered in their care.
1. November 2024, Native Council of Nova Scotia (NCNS), Truro, Nova Scotia
Strengthening Wellness Journeys: Adaptation of the Cancer & Chronic Disease PEP Program for Indigenous Communities
Hosted in collaboration with NCNS, Chief Augustine (https://www.ncns.ca)
Offered in person and by Zoom (power point presentation from the presentation)
2. Taking Care of Our Health: Preventing Cancer and Chronic Conditions, and Navigating Our Way Through the Medical System
Greenwood Inn, Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador
May 21, 2026 6:30–8:00 pm
Hosted in collaboration with Chief Lavers, and the Newfoundland Indigenous Peoples Alliance
Offered in person and by Zoom (https://newfoundland-indigenous-peoples-alliance.ca)
7. Partner and Indigenous Health Resources
The following links are provided to help community members, partners, healthcare providers, and families find Indigenous organizations, health information, wellness supports, and community resources. This list will continue to grow as resources are shared, recommended, and approved through ongoing collaboration with Indigenous partners and communities.
Congress of Aboriginal Peoples and affiliated organizations
Our National Partner
Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
https://abo-peoples.org/
The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples is the national voice for off-reserve Indigenous Peoples and represents the interests of Métis, status and non-status Indians, and Southern Inuit Indigenous peoples living off-reserve in Canada. CAP works with 11 affiliated provincial and territorial organizations.
CAP Provincial and Territorial Affiliates
| Organization | Website |
|---|---|
| Congress of Aboriginal Peoples | https://abo-peoples.org/ |
| CAP Affiliates page | https://abo-peoples.org/our-affiliates/ |
| Newfoundland Indigenous Peoples Alliance | https://newfoundland-indigenous-peoples-alliance.ca/ |
| Native Council of Nova Scotia | https://ncns.ca/ |
| Native Council of Prince Edward Island | https://ncpei.com/ |
| New Brunswick Aboriginal Peoples Council | https://www.nbapc.org/ |
| NunatuKavut | https://www.nunatukavut.ca/ |
| Alliance Autochtone du Québec | https://www.aaqnaq.com/ |
| Ontario Coalition of Indigenous Peoples | https://www.o-cip.org/ |
| Indigenous Peoples Alliance of Manitoba | https://www.ipamcanada.ca/ |
| Association of Métis, Non and Status Indians Saskatchewan | https://www.amnsis.ca/ |
| Indigenous Congress of Alberta Association | https://www.indigenouscongress.com/ |
| North West Indigenous Council | https://www.nwindigenous.org/ |
Note: These links are provided for information and connection. Community members are encouraged to contact the relevant organization directly for current programs, membership information, services, and regional supports.
8. Indigenous health and wellness resources
| Resource | Description | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Indigenous Services Canada | Federal department with information on Indigenous services, including health care services, Non-Insured Health Benefits, mental wellness, environmental health, food safety, and other programs. | https://www.canada.ca/en/indigenous-services-canada.html |
| Health services and social programs for Indigenous Peoples | Government of Canada page linking to Indigenous health, social programs, NIHB, dental health benefits, Nutrition North Canada, drinking water advisories, and other supports. | https://www.canada.ca/en/services/indigenous-peoples/health-services-and-social-programs-indigenous-peoples.html |
| Non-Insured Health Benefits | Federal information on health-related benefits for eligible First Nations and Inuit peoples. | https://www.canada.ca/en/services/indigenous-peoples/benefits-and-rights-for-indigenous-peoples.html |
| Hope for Wellness Helpline | 24/7 telephone and online chat support available to all Indigenous people across Canada. Services are available in English and French, with Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut available by telephone on request, depending on availability. | https://www.hopeforwellness.ca/ |
| National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health | A national Indigenous organization supporting First Nations, Inuit, and Métis public health renewal and health equity through knowledge translation and exchange. | https://www.nccih.ca/en/index.aspx |
| First Nations Health Authority | BC-based First Nations health and wellness organization with many publicly available health and wellness resources. | https://www.fnha.ca/ |
We also had the great pleasure of meeting Chief Byron Alexander, founder of Newfoundland Naturalist, whose work honours land-based learning, traditional plant knowledge, and reconnection with nature. Through his Medicine Walks and field guide editions, Chief Byron shares knowledge rooted in respect for the land, medicines, and the living world around us. We are grateful for the opportunity to connect with him and to learn from his generous spirit and deep relationship with the land.
Learn more: www.newfoundlandnaturalist.ca
Resource note: These links are provided for educational and informational purposes only. They do not replace medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or support from a qualified healthcare provider, Elder, Knowledge Keeper, counsellor, or local health service. If you are in distress or need immediate support, please contact local emergency services or the Hope for Wellness Helpline at 1-855-242-3310.
9. Testimonials – Human Impact Story
Watch our Documentary, Empower at the link below.
We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to share these programs with Indigenous peoples and communities. Our intention is to offer these resources in service, guided by community priorities, and with respect for Indigenous leadership, knowledge, and lived experience.
For questions, access support, or community presentations, please contact:
Dr. Rob Rutledge
rob.rutledge@nshealth.ca
Dr. Gabriela Ilie
Gabriela.Ilie@dal.ca
CancerPEP / PEPLife Team
info@cancerpep.com