From ISTAP's fifth annual "A World Without Skin Tears" Day on April 9th 2026. This segment, presented by Michelle Buffalo, BScN, RN, NSWOC, WOCC(C) (Canada), Bev Smith, BScN, RN, NSWOC (Canada), and Dr. Kevin Woo, PhD, RN, FAPWCA, NSWOC, WOCC(C), FNSWOC (Canada), covers Adapting the Skin Tear Classification Tool to Support Indigenous Cultural Safety. #WWSTD2026

January 27th, 2026 NSWOCC & WOC Institute Continuing Education Webinar: Barriers to Care: Advancing Equity in Indigenous WOC Health Presented by: Josée Sénéchal, MScCH-WC, BScN, RN, NSWOC Amanda Sowiak, BN, RN, NSWOC, WOCC(C) Tina Beckerton, BScN, RN, NSWOC, WOCC(C) Introductions by: Bev Smith, BScN, RN, NSWOC Michelle Buffalo, BScN, RN, NSWOC, WOCC(C) Learning Objectives: Identify common barriers Indigenous Peoples may face when accessing wound, ostomy, and continence care across different care settings. Reflect on real-life case studies to better understand how systemic, cultural, and social factors influence Indigenous clients’ healthcare experiences. Apply practical, culturally safer strategies to help Indigenous clients navigate barriers and improve access to WOC care. In partnership with the NSWOCC Indigenous Wound, Ostomy and Continence Health Core Program Disclaimer The views or opinions expressed in the webinar presentations or by the speakers are those of the speakers and/or sponsoring organization and do not necessarily represent the policies or views of the Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC). Although reasonable efforts are made to ensure accuracy, NSWOCC, and its agents, take no responsibility whatsoever for errors, omissions or any consequences of reliance on material or the accuracy of information presented. Promotion and hosting of these webinars do not constitute NSWOCC endorsement or assumption of liability for, any claims made in the webinar presentations.

Explore the Sharing Circle, an initiative by the Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC) to enhance healthcare access and education for Indigenous people. In this episode with Bev Smith a nurse in Alberta, Canada we showcase how the Sharing Circle website connects patients, NSWOCs, and healthcare professionals to a wealth of resources, training, and support tailored for Indigenous wound, ostomy and continence health. Also, get inspired by the volunteer nurses spearheading passionate health projects. #IndigenousHealth #SharingCircle #NSWOCC #HealthcareAccess #WoundCare #OstomyCare #ContinenceCare #HealthEducation #CanadaHealth

Video References Adopt Indian and Metis Project. (n.d.) [Adopt Indian and Metis Project print advertisements]. Retrieved from http://activehistory.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/12.png CBC news, (2021). Federal government vows again to end boil water advisories but offers no new target date | CBC News CBC news, (2015). The legacy of Canada's residential schools | CBC News CBC Radio’s Unreserved Shares Visuals of the TRC Call to Actions - news Digital archives of Alberta residential schools may serve educational role, (2020). Digital archives of Alberta residential schools may serve educational role | News | University of Calgary First Nations Health Authority, (2022). FNHA-Policy-Statement-Cultural-Safety-and-Humility.pdf John, A., (2022). 10 Terrifying Truths about Canadian Residential Schools. 10 Terrifying Truths about Canadian Residential Schools Legacy of Hope Foundation (2022). We were so far away-The Inuit Experience of Residential schools: Sharing their stories. Makivvik 2022. Residential Schools. Residential Schools – ᒪᑭᕝᕕᒃ – Makivvik Nishnawbe Aski Nation, (2022). Healing the generations residential school curriculum. rschools.nan.on.ca - Home NSWOCC, (2022). Sharing circle. Home | Indigenous Wound, Ostomy and Continence Open library, (2022). Lost Generations – Our Stories Revealing Truth for Child and Family Justice: Mass Graves of Residential School Children Identified We Were So Far Away - Legacy of Hope Foundation Wheeler, K. & Daniels, E., (2016) CBC Radio’s Unreserved Shares Visuals of the TRC Call to Actions. Artist Dorothy Sullivan - Bing Images (2022). Rare photos of the Stoney Indians (2022). Pinterest. Pinterest images (2022). Google images (2022).

Indigenous Wound, Ostomy and Continence Health Core Program: Improving Patient Outcomes Nationally Facilitator Bev Smith, RN, BScN, NSWOC NSWOCC Indigenous WOC Health Core Program Leader Presenters Anna Tumchewics, RN,BScN, DipOPN, NSWOC Northwest Territories “Virtual WOC Consultations to Support Remote Areas” Sue Bolton, RN, BScN, MN, NSWOC Home Care Clinical Consultant - First Nations Health Authority, BC “Pacific Blue Cross - Positioning NSWOCs to better Support Patient Access to WOC Supplies” Michelle Buffalo, RN, BScN, (NSWOC Student) The Stollerey Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta “Hospital to Community: Supporting the Wound, Ostomy & Continence Needs of Children and their Families” Morgan Austin Spinal Cord Injury Ontario Community Rehabilitation Program, Thunderbay, Ontario “Improving patient care in the community rehab setting” Objectives: Describe the process for virtual WOC consults to support remote areas. Summarize developments of NSWOC involvement with Pacific Blue Cross in B.C. Provide information on community programs to impact the care of First Nations, Metis and Inuit people.