Aric Rankin, NP-PHC, MN, PhD, FCAN

Episode Date: Wednesday October 29, 2025

In this episode of Radical Nurse Talk, “Building and Navigating Connections with Indigenous Patients,” we feature Dr. Aric Rankin, a settler Canadian and aspiring ally to Indigenous communities. Aric lives and works in Hamilton, Ontario, the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Peoples. He is a Nurse Practitioner in Primary Health Care at De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Centre and an Assistant Clinical Professor at McMaster University, where he teaches in both undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. 

With nearly 20 years of experience working with First Nation communities in urban and isolated fly-in settings, Aric has also volunteered with communities around the world, including Haiti, Lesotho, Fiji, and Australia. His work with resilient and vibrant communities confronting health disparities and historical injustices shapes his research on Indigenous health inequity and self-determination, particularly the role of the Indigenous Patient Navigator.

In this episode, Dr. Rankin shares how authentic relationships in Indigenous health settings stem from a deep commitment to learning, humility, and cultural respect. Trust is established when nurses approach care with openness and a continual willingness to learn. Patients notice when their care providers understand the context of Canada’s history with Indigenous peoples, often making it easier for trust to form without requiring patients to explain their background at every turn.

The episode sheds light on the realities of providing care in remote communities, where air travel is the standard and everyday practice is shaped by unique barriers and logistics. Dr. Rankin describes how therapeutic relationships are molded by these settings, emphasizing adaptability and the importance of being receptive to each community’s needs.

Host Patricia Strachan reflects that while clinical expertise is important, truly impactful care comes from listening and continuously valuing Indigenous voices. Dr. Rankin’s international volunteer experience further highlights the need for cultural respect in all health care settings. The themes of resilience, historical injustice, self-determination, and health equity are central, underlining that ongoing openness and resourcefulness are essential for health care professionals serving Indigenous communities.

Listeners are reminded that relationships with Indigenous patients are built not just on knowledge but on genuine listening, respect, and a humble attitude toward learning. The most effective care involves consistent self-education and partnership, creating a foundation for trust and healing on both sides.

Resources:

The Role of the Indigenous Patient Navigator: A Scoping Review

A Multi-site Qualitative Study to Explore and Understand Barriers and Enablers Indigenous Community Members Experience When Accessing Health and Social Services: Perspectives of Indigenous Patient Navigators and Indigenous Community Members in Canada

Two-Eyed Seeing Application in Research Analysis: An Integrative Review