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
Call for applications: Indigenous Health Care Award, ADHD interest
July 3, 2019
Do you work with the Canadian Indigenous population and have an interest in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder? The Canadian ADHD Resource Alliance (CADDRA) is seeking applications for its annual Indigenous Health Care Award, which will be presented at the 15th Annual CADDRA ADHD Conference in Toronto, October 5 to 6.
'To call myself Canadian would speak to the success of residential schools'
July 1, 2019
CBC News | Out in the Open: "I would not identify as Indigenous Canadian or Canadian," says Mylan Tootoosis, a PhD student at the University of Saskatchewan in the Department of Indigenous Studies. (Story originally aired on July 2, 2017.)
Poundmaker residents offered suicide prevention course
June 26, 2019
My Lloydminster Now | Tre Lopushinsky: A suicide prevention course is being offered in Poundmaker First Nation to help residents better assist those suffering from mental illness. Battle River Treaty 6 Health Centre is hosting the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training course, which has been utilized internationally.
The benefits of a holistic approach to health
June 23, 2019
Times Colonist | Trevor Hancock (First Nations Health Authority, B.C.): This column describes the Indigenous approach to health and well-being, as demonstrated by FNHA’s five-circle model. The model is based on a holistic understanding of health that we have largely forsaken in the mistaken belief that health comes from health care and personal lifestyles and choices alone.
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.
