Allyship with Indigenous Peoples is defined as characteristics or actions that actively support social justice with an aim to reduce inequities experienced by non-dominant groups. Métis-specific perspectives on allyship are very limited. This article presents a reflection upon allyship within a multi-partner dried blood spot testing (DBST) pilot with Métis communities in Alberta. METHODS: Using a case study approach, we reflected on our experience working within the collaborative DBST pilot and considered supplemental data from interviews with three DBST providers, meeting minutes, observational notes, and notes from team debriefs for themes related to allyship. RESULTS: Seven distinct themes were identified. Within this DBST pilot initiative, individuals from partnered organizations who demonstrated allyship:  established regular communication with community representatives; listened openly and without judgement (in order to reduce tensions); developed a positive working relationship; deferred decision making (wherever possible) to those who represented the community; acknowledged past and present history of colonialism and poor relationship(s) with the Métis community; acknowledged the right of Indigenous communities to self-determine their health services; and challenged the status quo. CONCLUSION: These themes provide guidance and suggest promising practices for building relationships as allies with Métis communities. Allyship between Métis communities and health service providers and policy makers can play an important role in fostering and supporting Indigenous community-led interventions targeting HIV, HCV and other STBBI. Based on our reflections, we present lessons learned for consideration by those partnering with Métis communities in health and/or social contexts. 

About the Authors

Danielle Atkinson is a Métis student living and studying in Victoria BC. She is currently a medical student through UBC’s Island Medical Program. She completed her master’s degree in public health at the University of Victoria, supervised by Dr. Cathy Worthington, where she partnered with Métis community partners involved in the DRUM & SASH project to examine a Métis understanding of health and wellness for people living with or affected by HIV/HCV, as well as the Métis community’s experience piloting dried blood spot testing for HIV/HBV/HCV/syphilis. Danielle’s future career goals are to combine her knowledge of medicine and public health to advocate for and provide more culturally safe and relevant health care for Indigenous peoples.  

​Rachel Landy is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Victoria, supervised by Dr. Cathy Worthington. As a postdoctoral fellow Rachel is working with the DRUM & SASH team to support the development of holistic shared models of care for HIV and other STBBI with First Nation and Métis communities in Alberta.
Rachel completed her PhD at Memorial University of Newfoundland where she collaborated with an Indigenous community-based organization in Labrador to develop, implement, and evaluate arts-based HIV education programming with Indigenous youth and Elders. ​

Raye St. Denys is a Métis woman and the youngest daughter of a WWII Aboriginal veteran and an English war bride. Raye is the proud mother of one daughter and grandmother of three (two living and one deceased). In 1989 after relocating with her daughter to Chilliwack, British Columbia, Raye began working with the Sto:lo Nation people as a Family Violence Counsellor and 1994, was invited to join a National Warriors Society against Violence. Raye has been the Executive Director for Shining Mountains Living Community Services, an Aboriginal AIDS service organization since 1996, she has served on multiple Boards and Committees in Alberta and British Columbia, including Boards for family violence prevention, HIV/AIDS prevention and education, culture, service and housing. Nationally, she was has taken part in developing the 2nd Aboriginal Strategy on HIV/AIDS, in the National Review on HIV/AIDS Funding and in the development of the Population Specific HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C Status Report for People Who Use Injection Drugs. Raye developed Métis Specific HIV and health resources and tools for use by Shining Mountains. 

My name is Kandace Ogilvie. I am a 47 year old mother of two. I have a wonderful 12 year old son and a beautiful 20 year old daughter. I have been married for 24 years to my husband Sean. We have lived in Alberta, Red Deer and area, for 24 years. I am a Metis lady; I have earned my Diploma of Social Work at Red Deer College and have been a Registered Social Worker for 15 years. I have worked in the Indigenous HIV realm for 17 years or so. I have been working with the DRUM & SASH team, seeing the progress and how it is ultimately benefitting my Metis community. I am looking forward to the continued work with this group of individuals and seeing our Metis community take pride in the resources that are being developed. 

Carrielynn Lund is a Métis consultant whose primary focus is on assisting Aboriginal communities to identify and address health and social issues that have a negative impact on children and their families. She has done extensive work in the area of heath research, particularly with Aboriginal youth and resilience and research ethics. Her extensive committee work includes service on the Aboriginal Healing Foundation (Treasurer), the Canadian Institute of Health Research Ethics Standing Committee and the Health Canada/Public Health Agency of Canada Research Ethics Board. Carrielynn contributes substantially to the CIHR review and process development and is highly skilled working within Network environments. Using her lived experience with Hep C, she works with researchers, organizations and governments to promote the inclusion of people living with Hep C in meaningful ways. 

​Catherine (Cathy) Worthington is Professor and Director in the School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria. Her current work in HIV focuses on services development with and for First Nation and Métis communities; social inclusion (housing, employment, stigma reduction, comorbidities/disability); training and mentoring; and innovations in community-engaged research methods. She is an academic lead for the DRUM & SASH HIV/STBBI Implementation Science team grant (drumandsash.ca), and is on the leadership teams for the GetCheckedOnline (Implementation Science team grant (https://getcheckedonline.com/), the CIHR Canadian Clinical HIV Trials Network (CTN, http://www.hivnet.ubc.ca/)), and is Co-Director of the CIHR CBR Collaborative, and BC co-lead for the CIHR REACH Centre. She is also on the Governing Council for the FEAST Centre for Indigenous STBBI Research.