Dementia Information for Indigenous Peoples: First Nations, Métis and Inuit
These resources were compiled by the Alzheimer Society of Canada in conjunction with Indigenous health experts.
Boozhoo. Aaniin. Tân’si. Shé:kon. Pjila’si. Oki. Gilakas’la. Atelihai. Ullukkut.
On this page, we are posting publicly available Indigenous dementia care tools and resources.
Indigenous dementia care tools and resources
A conversation on Indigenous Peoples and dementia. This is a Dementia Talks! Canada webinar created by the Alzheimer Society of Canada and Brain Canada. Speakers include Elder Beckie Labillois, Bonnie Peigan, Dr. Pamela Roach and it is moderated by Joanna Vautour.
Anishinaabek Dementia Care. This website helps Anishinaabek communities seeking local and culturally relevant information about dementia.
Indigenous Cognition and Aging Awareness Exchange. This website includes dementia factsheets and information about the Canadian Indigenous Cognitive Assessment tool.
The Four Sacred Medicines. This pamphlet from Anishnawbe Health Toronto provides information on the four sacred medicines: tobacco, sage, cedar, and sweetgrass, including what each medicine may be used for, and how to take care of the medicines. This pamphlet has been identified as a resource that supports Indigenous culture in long-term care by the Ontario Caring Advisory Circle.
The Indigenous Cognitive Health Program. This page provides information about an initiative within the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging. This initiative aims to build capacity for healthy, respectful, dementia research partnerships between Indigenous communities and/or organizations and researchers.
Dementia Case-Finding Tool for Indigenous People in Canada. This video on the Laurentian University YouTube channel describes how a multidisciplinary team collaborated to validate the Canadian Indigenous Cognitive Assessment (CICA).
Aging and Dementia. This page on the Native Women's Association of Canada website highlights several projects that the association has been working on around dementia. This page includes a link for downloading a toolkit on caring for yourself and a loved one while living with dementia.
Supporting Indigenous Culture in Ontario’s Long-Term Care Homes: Needs Assessment. Ontario’s Indigenous people have unique cultural requirements that must be supported by health care, including long-term care. This report summarizes the findings from a needs assessment to explore strategies to better support Ontario’s Indigenous people in long-term care homes.
Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias in Indigenous Populations in Canada: Prevalence and Risk Factors. This paper is produced by the National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health. It summarizes what is known about the prevalence of dementias, the challenges associated with diagnosing dementias, and the risk factors associated with the development of dementias in Indigenous populations.
An Inuit-focused home for Elders with dementia and Alzheimer's. In this video from LivingMyCulture.ca, an initiative of Canadian Virtual Hospice, Piita Irniq talks about how he brought Inuit culture and food to a southern facility caring for Inuit Elders with dementia.
Overcoming barriers to culturally safe and appropriate dementia care services and supports for Indigenous peoples in Canada. This paper created by the National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health aims to identify the challenges and burdens Indigenous people in Canada face in accessing culturally safe and appropriate dementia care services and supports, and suggests ways of overcoming these challenges.
Indigenous Peoples and Dementia. The Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia offers resources for Mi'kmaw communities. This includes an Information card, a booklet called, The Story is Mine, a tool to record the life story of the person with dementia, and some helpful websites.
10 helpful resources to support Indigenous Peoples living with dementia. The Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health created this information sheet as a part of their Behaviours in Dementia Toolkit.
Health, Aging, Palliative and Other Educational Resources. Lakehead University's Centre for Education and Research on Aging offers a variety of resources on Indigenous health, aging and palliative care, as well as other related information.
Supporting the Journey Home. Growing the Community Bundle to Care for those with Serious Illness. This is an educational program designed for interdisciplinary health care providers working in First Nations community settings. The program promotes early integration of a palliative care approach in community care teams. Currently, this program is only offered in Ontario. This program is funded by Indigenous Services Canada – First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, Ontario Region.
Beginning the journey into the spirit world. A resource that summarizes factors contributing to palliative and end-of-life care experiences for First Nations, Inuit and Métis; highlights areas for action in palliative and end-of-life care based on priorities, gaps, challenges and needs expressed by First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples and communities; and identifies innovative and Indigenous community-based models of care and person-centred approaches to palliative and end-of-life care.
Knowledge Circle. This is a resource hub created by the First Nations Health Managers Association with links to a variety of resources in different topics, including Anti-Indigenous Racism, Financial Assistance, Indigenous Services Canada, Traditional Practices and much more.
Certified First Nations Health Managers Program. The First Nations Health Management Association offers a certification program leading to professional designation. Health managers from across Canada can take the professional program to expand their knowledge.
Indigenous Health Professional Retention and Recruitment Toolkit. This toolkit, created by SE Health, supports the retention and recruitment of Indigenous and non-Indigenous healthcare professionals who promote cultural safety.
Advancing Indigenous Policy and Practice – Companion Courses and Resources Toolkit. This toolkit, created by SE Health, provides a pathway to navigate resources relevant to Indigenous perspectives on palliative, end-of-life care, and grief.
Indigenous Education Programs. The First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Team is composed of Indigenous educators and allies who are Regulated Health Professionals with experience living and working in Indigenous communities. Education programs are firmly rooted in the values of respect, relevance, reciprocity, responsibility, and relationship, ensuring meaningful and impactful learning. SE Health.
Do you have a story to share? Are there things we should add to this page? We invite you to share your story or community resources that might be helpful for others. Please send suggestions, questions or concerns to [email protected].
Last updated: September 23, 2026