Erie St. Clair Regional Cancer Program

06/17/2026

Pow Wow Protocols: While You’re There

Attending a Pow Wow today? Here are some important protocols to keep in mind while you’re there:

In the arena:

Stand during Grand Entry & Honour Songs
Do not enter the dance arena unless invited
Listen for announcements from the MC

Photos & videos:

Always ask permission when possible
Some dances or ceremonies may not be photographed

Respect dancers and regalia:

Regalia is sacred – not a costume
Avoid touching regalia or hair

Support the community:

Visit vendor tables and local artisans
Enjoy the food, music, and social atmosphere

If you’re unsure — just ask respectfully. People are often happy to guide you.

Most importantly: come with a good heart and enjoy the day.

06/16/2026

Planning to attend a Pow Wow this weekend?
Here are a few important things to know before you go:

Pow Wows are welcoming community gatherings, but they are also culturally significant events. Taking time to learn protocols helps show respect and supports a positive experience for everyone.

Before you attend:

Listen and observe – every Pow Wow may have slightly different practices

Dress respectfully – casual is fine, but avoid clothing with inappropriate graphics or cultural appropriation

Bring cash – many vendors are local Indigenous artisans

Follow the MC (Master of Ceremonies) – they guide what’s happening throughout the day

Remember:
You are a guest in a cultural space. Being open, respectful, and willing to learn goes a long way.

Tomorrow we’ll share what to expect once you’re there!

06/15/2026

🌞✨ Celebrate Indigenous Solidarity Day & Summer Solstice! ✨🌞
Join communities across our region this week as we come together to honour National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) and the Summer Solstice — a time of connection, culture, and celebration.
🧡 Community Events Happening This Week:
📅 Friday, June 19 – Chatham-Kent (Deshkan Ziibi)

Sunrise Ceremony (5:30 AM)
Opening & Teepee Ceremony (10:00 AM)
Indigenous Vendors Market, crafts & info booths (10 AM–2 PM)
Free strawberries, ice cream & teachings 🍓

🎉 June 20–21 – Aamjiwnaang Pow Wow (Bear Park, Sarnia)

Grand Entry, dance competitions, drummers & vendors
Fun for all ages – rain or shine

🌼 Saturday, June 21 – Summer Solstice Celebrations:
📍 High Banks Park, Walpole Island (12 PM–10 PM+)

Opening prayer & drum
Free BBQ 🌭🍔
Games, face painting, petting zoo, music & more
Evening baseball game ⚾
Fireworks at 10 PM 🎆
(Bring lawn chairs – drug & alcohol free event)

📍 Point Pelee National Park (10 AM–4 PM)

Pipe Ceremony
BBQ meal
Sacred Fire, games, crafts & social gathering

📍 Kettle & Stony Point First Nation (All-day activities)

Family-friendly programming at Kettle Point Park & Stony Point Beach

💛 All are welcome! Come celebrate Indigenous culture, community, and the longest day of the year through ceremony, food, music, and connection.

06/12/2026

06/12/2026

Some cancers don’t show symptoms early—but screening can still find them.

For First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, cancers like colorectal and lung cancer continue to have a significant impact, often linked to barriers in access and later diagnosis. That’s why making screening more accessible and supportive is so important.

Colorectal (colon) screening is now available through ColonCancerCheck for people aged 45 and older, or 40+ if you are at higher risk. Screening is done using a simple at-home FIT kit and, if results are normal, is typically repeated every two years. You can get a kit through your healthcare provider, or by calling Health811 if you don’t have one.

Lung screening is available through the Ontario Lung Screening Program for people aged 55–80 with a history of regular smoking. It uses a low-dose CT scan and can be accessed through a healthcare provider referral, with some locations offering self-referral to begin the assessment.

Screening matters because cancers like colorectal and lung cancer are often found at later stages—but early detection can change that. Finding cancer sooner can mean more treatment options, better outcomes, and more time with the people who matter most.

Screening saves lives. Access matters. Community matters.

06/11/2026

06/11/2026

Come visit our cancer screening booth at the dedicated Indigenous Cancer Screening Event at Bluewater Health in Sarnia June 11th and 12th to learn more about the organized cancer screening programs and our Indigenous Navigator services available in our region.

Cancer screening saves lives!

06/11/2026

Cancer screening is one way we take care of ourselves, our families, and our communities—but we know access hasn’t always been equal.

First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities continue to experience higher rates of some cancers, including cervical cancer, and often face barriers that can delay screening and diagnosis. That’s why making screening easier, safer, and culturally supportive matters.

Breast screening (mammograms) is available through the Ontario Breast Screening Program for people ages 40–74, and you can book directly without a doctor’s referral. Most people should be screened every two years. Cervical screening now uses HPV testing as the primary test in Ontario and is recommended for anyone with a cervix who is 25 or older and has ever been s*xually active. If results are normal, screening is usually only needed every five years.

Screening matters because it can find cancer early—often before symptoms begin—when treatment is most effective. If you’re ready to take that step, you can book a mammogram through an OBSP site, connect with your primary care provider for cervical screening, or call Health811 for help finding services near you.

Screening is care. Knowing your body is care. Taking that step—when you’re ready—is care.

06/10/2026

During National Indigenous History Month, we recognize the importance of equity in health—and the role that cancer screening plays in saving lives.
While screening programs exist, access is not always equal. First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities continue to face barriers such as transportation challenges, limited access to services, and past experiences that have impacted trust in the healthcare system.

These barriers matter—because early detection saves lives.

Indigenous peoples in Canada experience higher rates of some cancers, including cervical, colorectal, liver, and kidney cancers, many of which can be prevented or found earlier through regular screening.
That’s why culturally safe, community-driven initiatives are so important.

This week, Indigenous Cancer Screening Clinics are taking place at Bluewater Health—created in partnership with local First Nations and community organizations to make screening more accessible, welcoming, and supportive. These clinics offer breast and cervical screening, along with practical supports like transportation and culturally safe care.

This is what meaningful change looks like—meeting people where they are, reducing barriers, and working in partnership with communities.

Early detection saves lives.

Screening is care. Relationships are care. Community is care.

06/10/2026

Indigenous Cancer Screening Clinics are taking place at Bluewater Health this week—an important initiative created in partnership with local First Nations and community organizations to make cancer screening more accessible, welcoming, and culturally safe.
These clinics offer breast and cervical cancer screening, along with practical supports such as transportation, helping to reduce barriers that can prevent people from accessing care. Most importantly, they are grounded in culturally safe approaches that honour Indigenous perspectives, build trust, and prioritize comfort and dignity throughout the screening experience.

This work directly reflects our commitment to advancing health equity and improving cancer outcomes as outlined in our Regional Cancer Plan and organizational strategic priorities. Early detection through screening is a key pillar of cancer care, yet we know that Indigenous communities continue to face systemic barriers to accessing these services. Initiatives like this help close those gaps by bringing care closer to communities and co-designing services that meet people where they are.

By working in true partnership with First Nations and community organizations, we are:
Improving access to life-saving screening services
Enhancing culturally safe care environments
Reducing health disparities in cancer outcomes
Strengthening relationships and trust with Indigenous communities

This is more than a screening clinic—it’s a meaningful step toward reconciliation in healthcare and a tangible example of how collaboration can transform the way care is delivered.

Thank you to all partners, staff, and community members involved in making this important work possible.