Today, on National Indigenous Peoples Day, the ACFP would like to renew our commitment to unlearning and re-educating in the spirit of reconciliation. We commit to continue reflecting on our actions, educational opportunities, and advocacy efforts to support equity, cultural safety, and the health and wellbeing of all.
The ACFP recognizes that systemic racism exists in our society, institutions, and health systems. The ACFP is making conscious efforts to elevate Indigenous voices in our CPD opportunities, messaging, and advocacy. Staff at the ACFP are committed to continue listening, learning, and adapting to better inform, educate, and support ACFP members and all people who rely on them.
We acknowledge that what we call Alberta is the traditional and ancestral territory of many peoples, presently subject to Treaties 6, 7, and 8. Those people impacted are the Blackfoot Confederacy – Kainai, Piikani, and Siksika – the Cree, Dene, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux, Stoney Nakoda, and the Tsuu T’ina Nation and the Métis People of Alberta. This includes the Métis Settlements and the Six Regions of the Métis Nation of Alberta within the historical Northwest Metis Homeland.
We acknowledge the many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit who have lived on and cared for these lands for generations. We are grateful for the traditional Knowledge Keepers and Elders who are still with us today and for those who have gone before us. We make this acknowledgement as an act of reconciliation and gratitude to those whose territories we reside on or visit.
Words are not enough, the time for action is now. The ACFP has started on a journey to learn and change, and knows that the destination of reconciliation is still a long way ahead. The ACFP values Indigenous perspectives, and humbly ask our members, their patients, and collaborators, to inform us on how we can strive to do better as we turn the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action on Health into ReconciliAction in our practices and in our hearts.
For more information, please visit the ACFP Truth and Reconciliation page.
