Centering First Nations parents' voices: a community-directed pediatric rehabilitation needs assessment in Northern Saskatchewan

This study responds to concerns raised by Elders regarding urgent pediatric needs in Northern Cree communities. Guided by community priorities, the research aims to understand families' experiences with current services, needs and preferences for pediatric rehabilitation services.

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No immediate change to clinical technique is warranted; however, audiologists and rehabilitationists working with First Nations pediatric populations should formally centre community and Elder voices in service planning rather than applying standard Western models.

This study highlights a critical gap in culturally safe pediatric rehabilitation service delivery for remote Indigenous communities, pushing the audiology and rehabilitation field toward genuine community co-design.

1. 01Community-directed needs assessment conducted in Northern Saskatchewan Cree communities.
2. 02Elders' concerns and priorities guided the research design and scope.
3. 03Focus on pediatric rehabilitation needs, which may include hearing and communication services.
4. 04Published in Disability and Rehabilitation (2026); Indigenous health equity framework underpins the work.
5. 05Findings call for rehabilitation service models shaped by Indigenous community values, not imposed externally.

PMID

42725466

DOI

10.1080/09638288.2026.2729409.

Journal

Disability and Rehabilitation

Publication type

research_article

Evidence level

4

Population

First Nations parents and Elders in Northern Saskatchewan Cree communities with children requiring pediatric rehabilitation

Intervention

Community-directed needs assessment process guided by Elders