The month of June is National Indigenous History Month, with June 21st being National Indigenous Day.
This is a time to recognize, honour and celebrate the diversity and resiliency of First Nations, Inuit and Metis Peoples. It is also a time to reflect, to learn and unlearn, and to take action.
In the spirit of truth and reconciliation, it is imperative that as a Department and as individuals we elevate Indigenous voices and create a safe space for our Indigenous colleagues to be seen, and heard. Only in this way can we begin to see the harm that is perpetuated by the racist and colonial practices in our personal and professional lives.
Settler Canadians within UBC’s Department of Family Practice can commemorate National Indigenous History Month by committing to learning and speaking out about the history of Indigenous Peoples here in BC and the ways in which our medical education system and healthcare system enacted and continues to enact racism towards Indigenous Peoples.
Some specific actions to consider:
- Read “21 Things you may not know about the Indian Act” by Bob Joseph
- Engage in UBC events commemorating Indigenous History Month https://events.ubc.ca/indigenous-history-month/
- Learn about UBC’s Indigenous Strategic Action Plan and make a commitment to one of the 8 actions listed https://isp.ubc.ca/implementation/the-action-plan/
- Learn about and commit to action regarding UBC Faculty of Medicine’s response to the TRC’s Calls to Action.
This document includes action statements on the following: supporting Indigenous relationships; the learning environment; curriculum; graduate, post-graduate and professional education; and supporting Indigenous health research https://med-fom-faculty.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2021/07/FoM-Response-to-the-TRC-21-07-05-Final.pdf - Learn more about residential schools through the UBC Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre https://irshdc.ubc.ca/
- Here are Indigenous Specific Resources from the UBC Faculty of Medicine’s REDI (Respectful Environment, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) Office https://redi.med.ubc.ca/policies-resources/indigenous-specific-resources/
– Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee Co-Chairs, Drs. Linda Reid, Talveen Gill and Elder Roberta Price