Supporting Indigenous families in the Cree territory: lessons from the  Mashkûpímâtsît Awash initiative

Abstract

Objective: We describe the adaptation of an early childcare and development program to the Indigenous context of the Cree territory in Québec. We also share lessons on the challenging implementation of home visits by Indigenous family support workers (FSWs), which is a critical component of the intervention. Participants: Â Mashkûpímâtsît Awash (AMA) aims to enhance the health and well-being of pregnant mothers, young children, and their families by providing intensive interdisciplinary care and follow-up. Indigenous female FSWs from the community are the key frontline workers and cornerstone of the program. Setting: AMA is implemented as part of the multidisciplinary services provided by the Community Miyupimaatisiiun Centres (primary health care centres) in three pilot communities of Eeyou Istchee. Intervention: AMA builds on family centredness and cultural safety, integration of services, and creation of family-friendly communities. It emphasizes the role of female local Indigenous FSWs in providing culturally safe outreach services in the form of home visits. Outcomes: The main challenge was conducting home visits. FSWs’ view of the pertinence of home visits, as well as their personal stories, seemed to influence their motivation to conduct home visits. Their level of experience appeared to facilitate home visits. Encouraging creativity, fostering autonomy, ensuring a step-by-step implementation, and promoting communication were found to create a supporting environment to facilitate home visits. Implications: Hiring local Indigenous workers is necessary to ensure that early childhood development programs are culturally safe. Success of such programs relies on team management, provision of culturally adapted training, and quality of the ongoing emotional support provided to the FSWs.