We are thrilled to launch completed educational brochures and videos in Indigenous languages, that will provide information on how to take care of one’s back. These materials are now freely available in Cree TH dialect (Sally Sewap), Cree Y dialect (Randy Morin, Larry Keenatch), Northern Michif (TJ Roy), Heritage Michif (X), Dene (Melanie Montgrand, Leona Janvier, Delia Alberg), and Dakota (Melvina Redeagle, Elaine Eagle). 

In 2018, community members of Pelican Narrows reported to researchers that they did not have access to educational materials for back pain in the Cree language. Knowledge Keeper Sally Sewap, from Pelican Narrows, worked in partnership with MPT students Jaeden Frantz, Wyatt Cowell, Luke Guenter, Ty Vandersteen, and Morgan Korte, and Dr. Stacey Lovo to develop a brochure for back pain management in the Cree TH dialect. Support was received from Northern Medical Services (Dr. Veronica McKinney) and the Saskatchewan Physiotherapy Association. Additional communities expressed interest for materials in their languages, and also provided feedback on the need for audiovisual materials in Indigenous languages.

A team of community members and researchers joined and was awarded a Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation Align Grant in 2022, “Collaborating with Indigenous Communities in the Development of Indigenous Language Rehabilitation Materials for the Management of Chronic Back Pain”. Team members included: Dr. Stacey Lovo (Faculty, U of S), Dr. Jaris Swidrovich (First Nations Faculty, University of Toronto), Randy Morin (Cree language expert and Faculty , U of S), TJ Roy (Metis Knowledge Keeper, Ile a la Crosse), Sally Sewap (Cree Knowledge Keeper,  Pelican Narrows), Leona Janvier and Melanie Montgrand, (Dene language experts, La Loche), Hailey Brown (Physical Therapist and PhD student, U of S), Kendra Usunier (Director of Continuing Education in Rehabilitation Science, U of S), and Briana Bowes (Research Coordinator, U of S).