We call upon all levels of government to:
- Increase the number of Aboriginal professionals working in the health care field.
- Ensure the retention of Aboriginal health-care providers in Aboriginal communities
- Provide cultural competency training for all health-care professionals
Why “In Progress?”
In January 2021, Health Canada approved funding for a National Consortium on Indigenous Medical Education. The initiative is led by Indigenous physicians, in partnership with the Association of the Faculties of Medicine of Canada and will provide leadership and implement Indigenous-led projects that reform and update the education of physicians. The goal of the initiative is to create an improved medical education environment, tools and resources to ensure Indigenous populations have access to culturally safe health care.
Consortium priorities:
- assessment of Indigenous studies, cultural safety and anti-racism
- anti-racism, policies, processes, and implementation support
- Indigenous student admissions and transitions
- Indigenous faculty recruitment and retention
- improving cultural safety in curriculum
- Indigenous physician wellness and joy in work
In addition, the Association of Faculties of Medicine, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons and The Canadian Nurses Association have all made recommendations to address this Call to Action.
Dec. 20, 2022: CASN and CISN released their first annual Indigenous Nursing and Faculty Survey Report 2020-2021 designed “to create a mechanism to collect and disseminate high-quality, longitudinal evidence that will allow the recruitment and retention of Indigenous nursing students and faculty to be assessed and monitored across the country.
Nov. 2020 – The Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing (CASN) in partnership with the Canadian Indigenous Nurses Association developed a framework of foundational strategies, recruitment and retention strategies, and curricular strategies for nursing education to advance responses to the TRC
Oct. 5, 2020 – The Canadian Indigenous Nurses Association (CINA) and Canadian Nurses Association have emphasized the need for a “mandatory” cultural competency and humility training program for health-care professions after the dearth of Joyce Echaquan, a 37-year-old woman from the Atikamekw community of Manawan, Que.
Current Status
In Progress
Call to Action
last updated
July 23, 2024
Latest Updates
Indig. Physicians Assoc. of Canada
Northern Ontario physician encouraged by seeing more Indigenous medical professionals
The Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada’s annual meeting was held in Halifax Dr. Annelind Wakegijig is the lead physician at Baawaating Family Health Team in……
July 23, 2024
Medical Organization Commitment
Building bridges: MGH program cultivates support and trust with Indigenous patients
May 13th, 2024 NEWS NationTalk: McGill University Health Centre – “More and more Indigenous patients are starting to hear about our program and the services that……
May 13, 2024
Aboriginal Nursing Fact Sheet
SCO Celebrates First Nation Nurses
NationTalk: ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — Today, May 8, 2024, during National Nurses Week (May 6 to 12), the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) recognizes……
May 8, 2024
Commitment to Health Care Workers
SCO Supporting Lab Training to Bring Health Care Home to Lake Manitoba First Nation
NationTalk: ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — The Health Transformation Department at the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is working in collaboration with partners to bring……
February 21, 2024
Commitment to Health Care Workers
Province Invests in Training More Nurses
NationTalk: Anyone interested in becoming a nurse in Nova Scotia will have more options as the Province is increasing the number of nursing seats across……
May 11, 2023
Commitment to Health Care Workers
Cdn. Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) Releases Health Human Resources Assessment Report
NationTalk: Ottawa – Today, the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) released its report on health human resources (HHR) in Canada. The report, titled “Canada’s……
April 4, 2023
Commitment to Health Care Workers
Preclinical Internships in First Nations and Inuit Communities and Organizations
NationTalk: The Quebec First Nations and Inuit Faculties of Medicine Program (QFNIFMP) offers First Nations and Inuit students and non-Indigenous students the opportunity to benefit……
March 14, 2023
Commitment to Health Care Workers
New program to prepare Indigenous students for careers in health care
Toronto Star: A northern Ontario health organization and a university say they are developing a culturally-informed program that will prepare Indigenous youth for careers in……
March 1, 2023
Commitment to Health Care Workers
Queen’s Weeneebayko Health Education Program launched with support from the Mastercard Foundation to transform Indigenous healthcare in the region
NationTalk: MOOSE FACTORY, Ont. – The Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA), Queen’s University, and the Mastercard Foundation are partnering to transform healthcare in Northeastern Ontario……
February 28, 2023
Commitment to Health Care Workers
More Funding to Support Healthcare Recruitment in Mi’kmaw Communities
NationTalk: Health and wellness organization Tajikeimik will receive funding from the Province to help recruit Indigenous healthcare workers. In collaboration with the L’nu Nursing Initiative……
February 24, 2023