CPSA establishes Indigenous Health Advisory Circle

This June, CPSA took the opportunity to listen and learn from the many stories shared during National Indigenous History month. The particularly poignant learnings were derived from important and long-overdue conversations about the harms caused by Canada’s residential school system, still felt today by survivors and their families, and by the families of the children who died.

As Alberta’s medical regulator, CPSA acknowledges these harms and recognizes the role Canada’s healthcare system has played in perpetuating systemic racism. We also recognize that conversations don’t carry weight without meaningful change. In our commitment to taking action, CPSA is establishing an Indigenous Health Advisory Circle. This concept was born from the passion of Indigenous physicians to advocate for, and share the experiences of Indigenous patients and their communities, and the on-going dialog CPSA has had with them over the last year.

“We are on a journey of increasing our awareness and learning about Truth and Reconciliation in an effort to create culturally-safe care spaces and improve health outcomes for Indigenous peoples,” says Dr. Scott McLeod, CPSA Registrar. “We are fortunate in Alberta to have many influential Indigenous physician and community leaders we can learn from and partner with as we build a framework together to promote culturally competent care across our province.”

The Indigenous Health Advisory Circle will focus on listening to and learning from those with lived Indigenous experiences across Alberta. With a focus on collaboration and creating a safe space to share these experiences and ideas, the Advisory Circle will help CPSA reflect on our own processes and identify how we can better understand and support Indigenous patients and better guide the physicians who care for them.

In the coming weeks, CPSA will be seeking interested participants to join us in this important work. Please stay tuned to our website and social media channels for more information.

Resources:

Indigenous health in Alberta: A CPSA 2020 annual report conversation