Workers' compensation experience in some Indigenous Northern Ontario communities

BACKGROUND: There is a dearth of research about occupational health and safety experience in Indigenous communities and compensation applications from Indigenous workers appear limited. OBJECTIVE: This qualitative descriptive study was designed to explore workers' compensation experiences in some Canadian Indigenous communities. METHODS: A community-based participatory research approach was used to conduct focus groups (n = 25 participants) in three Northeastern Ontario (NEO) Indigenous communities and at one NEO Indigenous employment centre. Semi-structured focus group questions addressed community experience with workers' compensation, the compensation process, and discussion of a training session about the process. Reflexive thematic analysis followed Braun and Clarke procedures. RESULTS: Discussion with study participants resulted in these themes: 1) both lack of knowledge, and knowledge, about compensation demonstrated, 2) impact of lack of compensation coverage and need for universal coverage on reserve, 3) need for community training sessions about workers' compensation, 4) workload and financial impact of workers' compensation on reserve, and 5) requirement for cultural competence training in the compensation board. CONCLUSIONS: This qualitative descriptive study revealed the: need for more information about applying for workers' compensation and navigating the process, need for universal workplace insurance coverage in Indigenous communities, demand for community-based compensation process training, community costs of compensation, and the requirement for cultural safety and competence training for compensation organization employees. More education about the workers' compensation process would be of benefit to leadership, health care providers, administrative personnel, employers, and employees on reserves. Nurses in community health centres are well situated to provide further guidance.