The AMA supports the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the calls to justice from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Physicians are among the first trusted professionals to see signs of violence, coercion and exploitation, and we have a responsibility to help protect the Indigenous women and girls who turn to us for care. We can do this by offering trauma informed, culturally safe care; safer clinical environments; and timely connection to Indigenous led supports. In Canada, more than six in ten (63%) Indigenous women have experienced physical or sexual assault in their lifetime, with profound impacts on health and wellness, including inequitable access and treatment in health care and underrepresentation in health research.
Human trafficking is also a growing concern across Canada and in Alberta, and health care settings may be one of the few places where someone experiencing trafficking can be identified and offered support safely. Indigenous people make up over 50% of trafficking victims in Canada. In clinical settings, including clinics, emergency departments and hospitals, physicians have a responsibility to ask about violence and exploitation in a respectful, consent based way; document injuries carefully; support patient choice and offer connection to culturally safe community resources. We encourage physicians to review local referral pathways and crisis resources, and to reflect on how they can support the safety of Indigenous women and girls.
Red Dress Day invites us to honour the lives of MMIWG2S by listening to Indigenous voices and committing to safer care. We stand with families and communities in the pursuit of justice, healing and action. We will continue to practise cultural humility, strengthen pathways to Indigenous led services and advocate for safer systems so that Indigenous women and girls are seen, believed and supported.
We encourage everyone to wear red on May 5, to learn about MMIWG2S and to engage with local Indigenous communities and events where invited.