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Indigenous Health and Cultural Resources

Informative and educational resources on Indigenous health and culture, sourced from First Nations and Indigenous organizations, government/government agencies and academia.

Stock photo by Ingram via Freepik.com - Teepees landscape with mountain range background glacier national park glacier county

Overseen by the AMA’s Indigenous Health Committee, the resources, reference materials and news curated herein are intended to increase AMA member physicians’, resident physicians’ and medical students’ knowledge and understanding of the Indigenous populations in Alberta and their history, for purposes of “identify(ing) and clos(ing) the gaps in health outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities…” (#19 - Health - TRC Calls to Action)*.

*Several of the resources are based on recommendations included in the TRC’s seven, health-related Calls to Action (Health, #18 - #24), including resources on the history and legacy of residential schools in Canada; the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; and resources on Treaty, Treaty Rights and International Rights.

Residential schools and Canadian reconciliation

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website. A shared vision held by those affected by Indian residential schools was to create a place of learning and dialogue where the truths of their experiences were honoured and kept safe for future generations.

Academic

Social Accountability: Indigenous Health

Indigenous Canada is a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) from the Faculty of Native Studies that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada.

Indigenous Health: For Brian Sinclair

Centre for Indigenous Health Research and Education

Provincial

Resources from AMA Indigenous Cultural Safety Training

(staff) - January 2019 (source: Brenda Reynolds, training facilitator)

This comprehensive list of resources includes links to reports, statements and a video addressing:

  • the history and legacy of residential schools in Canada
  • Indian hospitals; and
  • the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report

Equitable and healing Indigenous health care - Trust, knowledge, relationships

Alberta Doctors’ Digest, March-April 2021. Addressing a variety of topical issues from systemic racism in health care to the impact of colonization and more, this special issue features more than 10 thought-provoking articles (and a video) by Indigenous physicians, nurses, a medical student, Traditional Knowledge Keepers and academic leaders of Indigenous health initiatives and education.

Examples of statements acknowledging treaty territory and traditional lands in Alberta (pdf)

To aid AMA members and staff in preparing for meetings and gatherings, or drafting speaking points, we have provided the following examples of statements acknowledging treaty territory and traditional lands suitable for each of Alberta’s three numbered treaties and Métis audiences. This document includes links to supplemental resources including maps and information pertaining to Alberta’s numbered treaties.

National and International

First Nations and Inuit mental health wellness - Government of Canada

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the General Assembly on Thursday, 13 September 2007, by a majority of 144 states in favour, 4 votes against (Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States) and 11 abstentions (Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burundi, Colombia, Georgia, Kenya, Nigeria, Russian Federation, Samoa and Ukraine).

Trauma Toolkits - Suite of three, focused on trauma: Trauma and suicide, Trauma and suicide in children and Trauma and suicide in Indigenous people.

A branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Centre for Suicide Prevention is an education centre of excellence, based in Calgary. For over 35 years, the centre has been equipping Canadians with the information, knowledge and skills necessary to respond to people at risk of suicide.

Residential schools and Canadian reconciliation

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation

National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website. A shared vision held by those affected by Indian residential schools was to create a place of learning and dialogue where the truths of their experiences were honoured and kept safe for future generations.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada

Academic

The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada
University of Alberta – Indigenous Canada - Course
University of Manitoba – First Nations, Metis and Inuit health information
University of Ottawa - Society, the Individual and Medicine

AMA/Alberta Health Services/Provincial

Alberta Medical Association
  • Resources from AMA Indigenous Cultural Safety Training (staff) - January 2019 (source: Brenda Reynolds, training facilitator)
    This comprehensive list of resources includes links to reports, statements and a video addressing:
    • the history and legacy of residential schools in Canada
    • Indian hospitals; and
    • the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report
  • Equitable and healing Indigenous health care - Trust, knowledge, relationships - Alberta Doctors’ Digest, March-April 2021. Addressing a variety of topical issues from systemic racism in health care to the impact of colonization and more, this special issue features more than 10 thought-provoking articles (and a video) by Indigenous physicians, nurses, a medical student, Traditional Knowledge Keepers and academic leaders of Indigenous health initiatives and education.
  • Examples of statements acknowledging treaty territory and traditional lands in Alberta (pdf)
    To aid AMA members and staff in preparing for meetings and gatherings, or drafting speaking points, we have provided the following examples of statements acknowledging treaty territory and traditional lands suitable for each of Alberta’s three numbered treaties and Métis audiences. This document includes links to supplemental resources including maps and information pertaining to Alberta’s numbered treaties.
Alberta Health Services
The Alberta First Nations Information Governance Centre
Community resources for Indigenous Peoples

National

Government of Canada

World

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the General Assembly on Thursday, 13 September 2007, by a majority of 144 states in favour, 4 votes against (Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States) and 11 abstentions (Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burundi, Colombia, Georgia, Kenya, Nigeria, Russian Federation, Samoa and Ukraine)

Mental health

Centre for Suicide Prevention

Trauma Toolkits - Suite of three, focused on trauma: Trauma and suicide, Trauma and suicide in children and Trauma and suicide in Indigenous people.

A branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Centre for Suicide Prevention is an education centre of excellence, based in Calgary. For over 35 years, the centre has been equipping Canadians with the information, knowledge and skills necessary to respond to people at risk of suicide.