Indigenous health
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada issued several calls to action to help recognize and rectify some of the wrongs committed to the Canadian Indigenous population in the past and which continue to affect Indigenous peoples today. The AMA developed the AMA Policy Statement on Indigenous Health to support the calls to action on health from the TRC’s final report. The policy aligns well with the AMA’s mandate of being leaders in the health care system. The policy was approved by the AMA Board of Directors in July 2017 as a means to support the TRC calls to action on health, and for the AMA as an organization to support improvements in accessing quality care for Indigenous populations. Download the AMA Policy Statement on Indigenous Health.
The AMA formed the Indigenous Health working group to determine how to best address the TRC calls to action. This working group included Indigenous physicians, Indigenous members of the public and physicians with experience working with Indigenous populations. The Indigenous Health Committee has since been established to promote and operationalize the recommendations in the AMA Policy Statement on Indigenous Health. Learn more about the Indigenous Health Committee.
- Watch Educating our youth - Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (YouTube).
- Download the AMA Policy Statement on Indigenous Health.
Indigenous Health Committee
The Indigenous Health Committee has been established to promote and operationalize the recommendations in the AMA Indigenous Health Policy Statement. It is an ongoing ad hoc committee of the AMA that reports to the AMA Board of Directors indirectly through the committee’s Senior Management member, Dr. Lyle Mittelsteadt, Assistant Executive Director of Professional Affairs.
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.
News and events
Indigenous, 2-spirit couple from Alberta wins The Amazing Race Canada
September 11, 2019
CBC News | Paola Loriggio: Anthony Johnson and James Makokis hoped being the first Indigenous, two-spirit couple to compete on The Amazing Race Canada would give them a national platform to highlight issues close to their hearts.
First-of-its-kind program to fill gap in Indigenous childbirth care
September 10, 2019
Saskatoon Star-Phoenix | Zak Vescera: Directors hope an Indigenous birth support worker program set to launch in Saskatoon this winter will become the new standard for Indigenous maternal care in Saskatchewan.
Five principles guide the AHS Indigenous Health Program
September 6, 2019
Medicine Hat News | Cai-Lei Matsumoto: What is the Indigenous Health Program at AHS? The Indigenous Health Program provides support throughout the province in partnership with Indigenous peoples, communities and key stakeholders. The program works to provide accessible, culturally appropriate health services for First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples in Alberta.
Dr. Esther Tailfeathers wins Dr. Thomas Dignan Indigenous Health Award
August 21, 2019
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada | Royal College Staff; originally published June 21: Esther Tailfeathers, MD, CCFP didn’t initially plan a career in medicine. “I didn’t think I had the capacity to do it,” she says. “So I ended up doing a Native Studies degree, which was really important to me at the time.” But things changed in 1987.
Questions and comments
- Please contact Dr. Lyle Mittelsteadt, Assistant Executive Director (Professional Affairs), AMA, if you have questions or comments regarding the AMA Indigenous Health Policy Statement.
- Please contact Shannon Rupnarain, Assistant Executive Director, Public Affairs, AMA, if you have questions or comments regarding the public affairs component of the AMA Indigenous Health Policy Statement or require information regarding the Indigenous Health Committee function and/or membership.
