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
Opioids killing First Nations Albertans at disproportionate rates, report shows
December 4, 2019
CBC News | Wallis Snowdon: The statistics come as no surprise to Dr. Esther Tailfeathers, a family physician from the Blood Tribe First Nation, 220 kilometres south of Calgary. In an interview Wednesday with CBC Radio’s Edmonton AM, Dr. Tailfeathers said, “This just tells us that we're not getting on top of it and our problem is moving from our communities into the inner city.”
Former Minister of Indigenous Services now health advisor to Nishnawbe Aski Nation
November 25, 2019
CBC News: The Nishnawbe Aski Nation has hired former federal politician Dr. Jane Philpott to act as an advisor as it works to take control of its own health system. Philpott is a former federal Minister of Indigenous Services.
Deaths, bad outcomes elude scrutiny at Canada’s Indigenous clinics
October 24, 2019
Reuters - Health News | Allison Martell: Ina Matawapit was barely conscious - intoxicated and suffering from a blow to the head - when police drove her to the North Caribou Lake clinic in Ontario, Canada, one summer evening in 2012.
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.
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.
