Knowledge Broker

Kathlene Bartlett

RN, BScN,CHPCN(C)

Kathlene Bartlett is a proud band member of the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation, a Registered Nurse, and a Certified Hospice Palliative Care Nurse Consultant with over 15 years of experience in Acute Care, Palliative Oncology, and Community health, where she specialized as a Palliative Pain and Symptom Management Consultant. Kathlene’s career path has been deeply shaped by her commitment to rebuilding a connection to her culture and advancing Indigenous health. She brings this perspective to her role as a Knowledge Broker with McMaster University’s Supporting the Journey Home initiative, where she works to bridge research and practice, ensuring access to compassionate, equitable, and culturally safe palliative care. Guided by her expertise and her cultural values, Kathlene is dedicated to empowering healthcare providers, patients, and families to navigate end-of-life care with dignity, respect, and understanding.

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bartlk4@mcmaster.ca

Knowledge Broker

Bethany Bocchinfuso

MSW, RSW

Bethany is a band member of Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. She is a registered Social Worker and completed her Master of Social Work in Indigenous Trauma and Resiliency (MSW-ITR) at the University of Toronto in 2024. She has been a part of Supporting the Journey Home on the McMaster team for over two years. During that time, she has had the privilege of learning from other community healthcare providers and program co-facilitators, deepening her understanding of the importance of a wholistic, person-centred, and culturally appropriate palliative approache to care. 

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bocchinb@mcmaster.ca

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SJH Community Co-facilitator

Laura Wilson

PSW

Palliative Care Clinical Coach, Giishkaandago’ikwe Health Services, Treaty 3 First Nations in Northwestern Ontario. Laura brings over 18 years of extensive experience in various healthcare sectors and communities, including the surrounding First Nation communities. Throughout her career, she has been committed to enhancing person-centred care for all individuals she serves. She aims to inspire other healthcare professionals and community members to deepen their understanding of palliative care. Ultimately, her dedication to this work is driven by its positive impact on individuals living with life-limiting illnesses and their families. 

SJH Community Co-facilitator

Joanna Vautour

MSW, RSW

Joanna is a band member of Serpent River First Nation. She has her MSW-ITR from UofT. She is a facilitator for the palliative care training for front-line workers in Indigenous communities and Pallium LEAP with Lakehead University. She currently holds roles in cancer care and teaches social work education.   

SJH Community Co-facilitator

Tracy Byron

RN

Tracy is the Palliative Care Clinical Coach at Maamwesying North Shore Community Health Services. With over 33 years of experience in hospitals, hospice, and community healthcare, Tracy is dedicated to advancing high-quality, holistic palliative care that supports the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of clients and families. Tracy is committed to supporting the First Nations along the North Shore of Northeastern Ontario within Robinson-Huron Treaty territory, helping to guide the ongoing development and implementation of Creator’s Care, Maamwesying’s Indigenous community-based palliative care program. Her work reflects a deep commitment to health equity, cultural safety, and ensuring that Indigenous voices and traditions shape the care provided. 

SJH Community Co-facilitator

Cheryl Jamieson

Boozhoo, Aaniin indinawemaaganidog, Waabanokwe ojibwemon noozwin miinwa Cheryl Jamieson nindizhinikaaz. G’ChiMnissing nindoonjibaa; Maang Ndoodem, miinwa Ojibwe, Anishinaabekwe niin daaw. 

Cheryl Jamieson is an Anishinaabekwe from Beausoleil First Nation, belonging to the Maang (Loon) clan. Returning to her home community on Christian Island, she serves as the Indigenous Patient Navigator splitting her time between the Beausoleil Family Health Centre (BFHC) and Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH).Cheryl brings a full-circle perspective to her advocacy. She originally left her role as a Client Care Administrative Assistant in the Home and Community Care Program in 2012 to embark on a long and demanding educational journey. Today, she applies that extensive training to help community members and their families navigate the complexities of the westernized healthcare system with dignity, respect, and deep cultural advocacy. As part of her commitment to integrating a healing, holistic approach to serious illness care, Cheryl completed Supporting the Journey Home: Growing the Community Bundle. This 9-week, First Nations co-designed curriculum enhanced her ability to identify clients who benefit from early palliative care, support advance care planning conversations, and strengthen connections between local caregivers and external healthcare partners. Guided by her cultural roots, Cheryl is passionate about creating safer healthcare environments for Indigenous patients and families. 

SJH Community Co-facilitator

Elizabeth Maracle

Sgen:o (hello) my name is Elizabeth Maracle. I'm excited to be one of the facilitators for the Supporting the Journey Home program. Many people have inspired me to do this work. As a Haudenosaunee Seneca turtle clan woman from Six Nations and Hungarian on my father's side I carry both cultures with me in my roles as Mother, Grandmother, Auntie and Community Helper. I have post-secondary degrees in Indigenous Studies, Sociology and a Master's of Social Work.  My key focus has been as a trauma counsellor for 30+ years. For the last 6 1/2 years I was the psychosocial palliative counsellor with Six Nations Health services and Stedman's Community Outreach Team. I recently switched to opening up a private practice. The Haudenosaunee women in my family have supported death and dying for generations. I was raised to view death as a natural part of Creation. Personally supporting family, friends and community members in their Journey Home is part of my helper bundle. I'm grateful to be a part of the Supporting the Journey Home program and look forward to meeting participants.  

SJH Community Co-facilitator

Troy Monague

Ashbonquot (High Cloud)

Anishinaabe Mno bimaadzit OShkabewis (Helper)

Ajiijaak Miinwaa Waabizheshii Ndodem (Crane & Martin Clan)

G’Chimnissing Ndoongibaa (I am from Beausoleil First Nation)

Anishinaabe Ndow (I am of the Anishinaabe peoples)

Troy has worked in the community for many years with Mental Health, Crisis Intervention,

Addictions and presently with Traditional healing coordination for the Simcoe region those populations with complex needs, targeted through an Indigenous lens of practice. Troy has been working in the community while seeking ongoing learning from trusted elders, knowledge keepers and helpers in the local region and further. Troy learns from his loving family everyday as he is a husband and father. Troy often works closely with ceremony as a OShkaabewis with his two son’s and wife.

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Troy was raised on Beausoleil First Nation with people such as his Grandfather, Past Chief Rodney Monague Sr Baa, who helped in moving Troy in the direction of keeping the history of Anishinaabe people of this area and striving for the youth today to find independence and pride through storytelling and the use of what traditional knowledge Troy can offer.