If you are experiencing difficulties accessing links or photos due to your email settings, please visit our website, cerah.lakeheadu.ca/category/news to view the full E-Blast newsletter. | | Centre for Education and Research on Aging & Health | |
November 8: Indigenous Veterans Day
On November 8, we honour the First Nations, Métis and Inuit people who served and sacrificed for a country that did not always recognize their rights or treat them as equals.
Despite facing discrimination and unequal treatment, thousands of Indigenous people served in Canada's military. Many returned home to find they were denied the same benefits and recognition as other veterans.
Their service and sacrifices are an important part of Canada's history and deserve to be remembered.
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November 11: Remembrance Day
On November 11, we honour and remember those who served and sacrificed for our country during times of war, conflict and peacekeeping. We recognize their courage, their service, and the sacrifices made by them and their families.
Remembrance Day is also a time to reflect on the impact of war, remember those who never returned home, and show our gratitude to those who have served and continue to serve. Lest we forget.
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National Grief and Bereavement Day | November 17, 2026
This year's National Grief and Bereavement Day theme, Shine a Light on Grief Support, encourages Canadians to talk openly about loss, recognize the importance of grief support, and ensure that no one has to navigate grief alone.
In recognition of this day, the North West Grief & Bereavement Community of Practice invites health and social care providers to the next session in our virtual education series on November 12, from 12:00–1:30 PM ET.
Join Certified Grief Counsellor Claudia Otto for Shine a Light on Disenfranchised Grief: Supporting Healing After Death by Suicide and Substance Use, exploring the challenges of grief following these losses and ways to support individuals and families with compassion.
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CERAH Gets Spooky! The REAL Horrors of Aging!
This Halloween, the CERAH team dressed up as something truly scary: the social determinants of health!
From long wait times and lack of transportation, to housing costs and endless red tape, we had some fun bringing attention to the very real challenges that can affect our health as we age. While our costumes were meant to get a few laughs, the issues behind them are no joke. Where we live, our income, and our ability to access care all play a role in how well we age.
These are just some of the issues we'll be exploring at the 2027 CERAH National Conference on Aging & Health, happening September 28–29 in Thunder Bay.
Because social determinants can be SCARY, but aging well doesn't have to be!
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Available on YouTube: Palliative Care Is...
Missed the October 27 webinar, Palliative Care Is... Strengthening Approaches to Palliative and End-of-Life Care in Homeless and Harm Reduction Settings?
The recording is now available on YouTube!
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This webinar introduces a new discussion-based curriculum developed with community researchers, palliative care practitioners, and frontline workers.
Learn how this flexible curriculum can support conversations about serious illness, grief, and end-of-life care, while helping improve care for people experiencing homelessness and other forms of structural inequity.
| | Caring Connections Chronicles | |
Prepare to Care with OCO
44% of caregivers in Ontario say they weren't prepared for the impact caregiving would have on their life. That's why the Ontario Caregiver Organization launched " Prepare to Care", a monthly email series for anyone providing care or expecting to in the future. Each email includes stories, tips, and practical tools like checklists and videos to help plan ahead.
Sign up at preparetocare.ca to learn more
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CERAH Speaker Series - When addiction changes the way we see pain: Challenging stigma in pain & symptom management with Dr. Amy Montour & Rachel Montour
November 17 | 12-1:30 PM ET
Join us to learn how to use a Two-Eyed Seeing approach to understand and describe how biases, stereotypes, and discrimination can create barriers to pain control for people living with addiction, and identify and analyze opportunities to provide compassionate symptom management for people living with addiction who also require palliative care.
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Integrating Indigenous and Western Approaches to Palliative Care Pain & Symptom Management
December 1, 2026 | 12 - 1:30 PM ET
Join the North West Regional Pain & Symptom Management Community of Practice for our second virtual education session, Integrating Indigenous and Western Approaches to Palliative Care Pain & Symptom Management.
Hear from Maxine Crow, Barb Perrnsky, and Debbie Meekis as they share their experiences and perspectives on supporting pain and symptom management in Indigenous communities.
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Caring for Indigenous Peoples: Palliative Care Education for Health & Social Care Providers - Continuing the Journey
December 3 & 10, 2026 | 10:00AM–1:00PM ET
Join us for Continuing the Journey, an intermediate palliative care workshop for health and social care providers working with Indigenous communities in Ontario.
This virtual workshop builds on the Beginning the Journey training and offers an opportunity to deepen your knowledge of palliative care.
Participants must have completed Beginning the Journey (Part 1) to be eligible and must attend both sessions. Very limited spots remain! Request to register today to secure your place.
| | For Informal Care Providers | |
NCCIH Healthy Aging Booklet Series
The National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health (NCCIH) has released a new series of six healthy aging booklets for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis adults.
Developed with input from Indigenous people across Canada, the booklets offer culturally relevant information and practical tips on physical activity, nutrition, mental health, financial wellness, and more.
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Indigenous Voices: From Reflection to Practice
A Virtual Conversation for Health & Social Care Providers
Wednesday, November 18, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. ET
Canadian Virtual Hospice invites health and social care providers to join From Reflection to Practice, a free virtual session exploring how providers can translate Indigenous-led Knowledges about grief, healing, and culturally safer care into daily practice.
Hosted by Dr. Holly Prince (Anishinaabekwe from Opwaaganisiniing, Senior Advisor) and members of a national First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Elders and Knowledge Carriers Circle, this session provides a dedicated space for health and social care providers to:
- Apply critical self-reflective practice, cultural safety, and cultural humility in care settings.
- Work alongside Indigenous Peoples to address identified care needs and amplify Indigenous voices.
- Explore newly developed, culturally relevant grief resources and companion guides.
Complimentary Companion Guide for Live Attendees:
Up to 100 printed copies of "Supporting healthy ways of living through grief and loss: A companion guide for health and social care providers" will be mailed directly to attendees of this session, with priority given to live participants. Please enter your mailing address during registration to reserve your copy.
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Disrupting Death: Conversations about Medical Assistance in Dying in Canada. Hosts, Kathy Kortes-Miller and Keri-Lyn Durant lead with curiosity as they interview a wide range of guests who know M.A.i.D intimately.
Latest Episode: Disrupting Death with Jay Tang
In this month's episode, Kathy and Keri-Lyn are privileged to sit down with Jay Tang to discuss suicide, mental health, and MAiD.
| | | | Contact us if you have any questions about our resources or upcoming events. We are also interested in aging and health news from your region, so please keep in touch! | | | | |
