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, Gayle Burnett, Chief Strategy Officer/Interim AED 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
Study unveils deteriorating relationship
December 18, 2020
The Toronto Star | Virginie Ann - The immensity of Canada’s territory has always made it hard for its population to agree on complex issues. One can simply take a look at the last federal election to see the clear division between provinces and partisan lines. When it comes to the state of the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, that same division of opinions applies.
Indigenous Healthcare Workers Honoured In FNHMA Virtual Celebration And A New Series Is Set To Start January 14, 2021
December 17, 2020
Alberta Native News | Featuring an exciting group of renowned guests including the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief, the Prime Minister, and others, Marion Crowe from the First Nations Health Managers Association (FNHMA) hosted a virtual celebration that honoured, thanked, and celebrated health care workers and the new certified First Nations Health Managers (CFNHM).
Family demands answers after frightened Atikamekw man flees hospital, later returns and dies
December 17, 2020
CBC News | Angelica Montgomery - Grand Chief of the Atikamekw Nation Constant Awashish, who is not a close relative, said that George-Hervey Awashish's story highlights the extreme mistrust some Atikamekw people have in those who are supposed to be caring for them.
St. Paul’s Indigenous Health Liaison Workers Say Racism, Lack of Support Are a Daily Reality
December 17, 2020
The Tyee | Moira Wyton - Almost a most a month after Vancouver’s St. Paul’s Hospital eliminated an Indigenous health and wellness team, three of the terminated workers are speaking out about lack of support from hospital leadership and anti-Indigenous racism they witnessed and experienced.
Orange Shirt Day
Created in 2013, Orange Shirt Day is a day for Canadians to come together to recognize our country’s residential school survivors, and those who did not survive. The day is intended to raise awareness and encourage a desire to learn about Canada’s Indian residential school system and the effect it has had on Indigenous communities for over a century; an impact that continues today. September 30 was chosen as OSD day because it was the day/time of year when Indigenous children had to leave their homes and communities to attend residential schools.
Questions and comments
- Please contact Gayle Burnett, Chief Strategy Officer/Interim AED 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.
