Indigenous Health from Truth to a Path for Reconciliation

The Call to Action series is a digital series developed in alignment with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s health action items. The series is intended as a primer for physicians and healthcare professionals looking for impactful and clinically relevant information about Indigenous Health.

The series has been developed with inspiration from the Seven-Grandfather Teachings*. These teaching form the foundation of an Indigenous way of knowing and living life in a Good Way. Together they inform the relationships one has with themselves, their community, the environment and all of Creation.

Grounded in these teachings, each session will build on the next and assist physicians in expanding their knowledge and understanding of Indigenous Health concepts and issues. Sessions will focus on a truthful telling of Indigenous history and reality, traditional Indigenous medicine and world views and discuss ways (cultural safety, partnership and allyship) to improve care for Indigenous patients and communities.

Series Dates & Topics
All sessions are from 4pm to 6pm ET

  • September 28
    Social Determinants of Indigenous Health
  • October 12
    Introduction & History
  • October 26
    Indigenous Worldview & Concepts on Health and Wellness

  • November 9
    Partnership & Allyship

  • November 23
    Cultural Safety & Leadership

  • Full Agenda →

Goals

Overall goals of the series are:

  1. Gain a better understanding of how to engage, communicate, respect and support the wellness needs of Indigenous patients, learners and communities.
  2. Gain a better understanding of Indigenous worldview and the value of Indigenous knowledge.

Objectives

Throughout this series, attendees will explore teaching specific to Indigenous populations. At the end of the series, they will be able to:

  1. Acknowledge the history of Indigenous Peoples in Canada including, but not limited to, treaties, rights, The Indian Act and Residential Schools.
  2. Recognize the ongoing impact/legacy that historical events has on Indigenous communities, families and individuals.
  3. Discuss the importance of Traditional medicine/healing for Indigenous patients.
  4. Identify the Social Determinants of Indigenous Health and how they impact your Indigenous patients.
  5. Examine why it is necessary to address the Distal Determinant (Colonialism, Residential Schools, Racism, Social Exclusion and Self-determination) in order to attain true health equity.
  6. Define strength-based, trauma-informed, culturally safe care and understand why it is essential in developing healthy therapeutic relationships with Indigenous patients.
  7. Examine allyship and the knowledge and skills required to be a true ally.
  8. Recognize the difference between cultural awareness, cultural competency, cultural safety and cultural humility.
  9. Acknowledge the importance of insight and self-awareness in the career-long endeavor to provide culturally safe care.
  10. Discuss Indigenous concepts of leadership and explore how this can be incorporated into becoming a culturally safe healthcare leader.

Target Audience

This series is for physicians and allied health professionals in academic and community settings nationwide who are looking to inform their professional practice with a better understanding of Indigenous Health. Any practitioner interested in improving and promoting partnership, allyship and cultural safety in their practice and community are encouraged to attend.