Niikaniganaw

Niikaniganaw means all my relations in Anishinaabemowin. It refers to our connections to every living being. When one of us feels lost, forgotten, or mistreated, we all feel it. It is an expression of mutual interdependence. And it is a concept foreign to Western medicine

In Niikaniganaw, NShannacappo uses story to reveal the experiences of contemporary Indigenous people when accessing health care, in a system where they consistently endure the effects of colonialism, ranging from unconscious biases to overt racism. In three compelling and imaginative narratives, which include direct testimonials gleaned during surveys, he shows us how all things are interconnected, and how an understanding of niikaniganaw can bridge the gaps between communities and create a more humane experience for all.

Niikaniganaw is a co-production between the University of Ottawa and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research

In Niikaniganaw, NShannacappo uses story to reveal the experiences of contemporary Indigenous people when accessing health care, in a system where they consistently endure the effects of colonialism, ranging from unconscious biases to overt racism. In three compelling and imaginative narratives taken directly from interviews, he shows us how all things are interconnected, and how an understanding of niikaniganaw can bridge the gaps between communities and create a more humane experience for all.