Truth and Reconciliation
The ACFP's Commitment
In line with the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) Declaration of Commitment, the Alberta College of Family Physicians (ACFP) advocates for equitable health outcomes for Indigenous peoples in Alberta and across Canada. It promotes educational opportunities that advance cultural safety and humility in the health care system.
The ACFP shares the following links to relevant resources and educational tools to support the ongoing journey for truth and reconciliation.
Learn
- Empowering the Spirit – Educational resources to deepen understanding of First Nations, Métis and Inuit perspectives and ways of knowing.
- Métis Nation of Alberta – The website of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, which has governed the Métis within Alberta.
- Voices of the Land – A collaborative initiative between Indigenous communities and the Edmonton Public Library and other libraries across Alberta
- Blackfoot Digital Library – It contains information about Blackfoot people and culture collected from the past century.
- The North-West Is Our Mother – Published in 2019, this book authored by Jean Teillet tells the story of the Métis nation.
CanMeds-FM Indigenous Health Supplement
A document published by the CFPC to help family physicians provide high-quality care that aligns with the needs and circumstances of Indigenous peoples living in Canada.
Indigenous Health Case Study Compendium 2023
Developed by the CFPC, this demonstrates and acknowledges the culturally unsafe care that exists throughout the health care system and provide learning points to better engage in care.
Health and Health Care Implications of Systemic Racism on Indigenous Peoples in Canada
A guide for physicians to understand better how system racism shapes an Indigenous patient's clinical experience and what they can do about it
Review research from Alberta Emergency SCN on Indigenous experiences in Alberta ERs:
- First Nations status and emergency department triage scores in Alberta: a retrospective cohort study
- First Nations members’ emergency department experiences in Alberta: a qualitative study
Register for one of the following learning options:
- Indigenous Canada, University of Alberta
- Indigenous Peoples in Canada, AHS’ Indigenous Health Program
- Be an active bystander, University of Calgary
Read More Truth and Reconciliation Statements:
- Canadian Medical Association – Putting Our Apology Into Action
- Canadian Public Health Association – Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
- College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta – Advancing Truth and Reconciliation in Health Care: A commitment to healing and empowerment
- Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada – Commitment Statement
- Alberta Health Services – Indigenous Health Commitments
Listen
Tune in to any of the following podcasts/interviews:
- Telling Our Twisted Histories with Kaniehtiio Horn, CBC Listen
- Confronting the dark side of Canadian History, Front Burner – CBC Listen
- Discussion with Dr. Angela Mashford-Pringle (47:21), Real Talk with Ryan Jespersen
- Discussion with Dr. Pamela Roach (53:57), Real Talk with Ryan Jespersen
Try learning and speaking an Indigenous language with one of the following Indigenous-produced Apps:
Get Engaged
Participate in First Nations, Inuit and Métis-led virtual activities. Visit the official pages for National Indigenous Organizations to find out more:
- Assembly of First Nations
- Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
- Métis National Council
- The Story of Orange Shirt Day
- Find your local Friendship Centre
Join the virtual educational events that are happening throughout the year and more so on National Indigenous History Month, National Indigenous Peoples Day, National Day of Truth and Reconciliation to learn more about cultural safety and humility.
- Cultural Safety in Healthcare: Indigenous Patient Experience – Alberta Health Services (AHS) and Together 4 Health
- Register for the 2025 NIHM/NIPD events being hosted by AHS and Together 4 Health
Get involved with one of the following groups:
Watch
- Interrupting Racism in Your Family Practice: An Indigenous perspective – Consider watching this recording from the ACFP’s Check In Check Up webinar series to learn the impact of racism on patients in family medicine and the larger health care system. It features presenters Dr. Lindsay Crowshoe, Dr. Rita Henderson, and Dr. Pamela Roach of the Department of Family Medicine, University of Calgary system.
- Pain Care for Indigenous People: Through the lens of culture, society, and medicine – A session from the PCN Pain Rounds webinar series, with support from the ACFP, featuring Dr. Jonathan Bertram.
- WaaPake (Tomorrow) – A documentary by Dr. Jules Arita Koostachin which unravels the suffering of residential school survivors and generational trauma. Available for viewing on the National Film Board of Canada website.
- The Unforgotten – Build Films & Networked Health with support from Canadian Medical Association produced this film that explores the health and well-being of Indigenous peoples.
Check out These Video Libraries:
- Indigenous Voices and Reconciliation, National Film Board
- Indigenous Health Program Learning Series, AHS YouTube Channel
- The National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health (NCCIH), NCCIH YouTube Channel
- Reclaiming Power and Place, The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls