From reflection to action: Honouring Indigenous Peoples in June and beyond
June is National Indigenous History Month, an annual event that invites people across Canada to reflect on and celebrate the culture, history and ongoing contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. Saturday, June 21, is National Indigenous Peoples Day, which coincides with the summer solstice – a day of significance for many Indigenous communities, marking a time of renewal and appreciation for the growth and bounty of nature, as well as the start of many cultural celebrations.
Throughout June, the Alberta Medical Association encourages members and staff to learn more about Indigenous Peoples, including their knowledge, stories, art, traditions and languages. As part of these learning opportunities, the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada is hosting a two-hour Zoom workshop on June 21. The session is designed to equip allies – physicians, health care professionals and medical learners – with practical tools to respectfully honour National Indigenous Peoples Day. We hope you will consider attending.
In addition to encouraging learning, the AMA continues to advance its own efforts to support Indigenous health. The AMA’s Policy Statement on Indigenous Health was launched in 2017 to support the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action on health and confirms the AMA’s determination to be leaders in addressing past and current injustices to Alberta’s Indigenous communities. It continues to guide us.
Earlier this year, at the Spring 2025 Representative Forum, RF delegates voted overwhelmingly in favour of establishing a Section of Indigenous Health, making the AMA the first provincial or territorial medical association in Canada to take such action. We look forward to supporting this new section as they work to address the most urgent health inequities and continue to move us forward toward reconciliation.
Throughout June and beyond, we encourage all members to remain engaged in efforts to support health equity for all.