Truth before Reconciliation - How Indigenous patient experiences can shape Indigenous health transformation

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The most valuable lessons in health systems are learned from mistakes. Since the late 1990’s, health systems across the world have utilized quality improvement principles to leverage patient experiences into teaching moments; opportunities for providers, administrators, academics, policymakers and patients to better integrate disparate perspectives, expectations and goals into better patient care. Despite the role patient experience has in quality improvement, research shows only a small fraction of patient’s experiences are officially reported. Among Indigenous patients, this reporting is even lower. For healthcare to truly become free of discrimination, bias, racism and oppression we must hear the truths of our Indigenous patients. With small changes in the way we share with the healthcare system, we can become more effective at having our voices heard.

Truth and Reconciliation and You

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Dr. James Makokis and Anthony Johnson will highlight the unfortunate history and TRUTH of the realities of colonialism in Canada and the impact on First Nation communities and peoples. Dr. Makokis will explain the structures and systems of how early settlers stripped First Nation communities and peoples of their Indigenous values, traditions, languages and customs. They will then relate colonialism and how it has formed today’s reality and how systems of the past have maintained inequality and unfair treatment for First Nation communities and Indigenous peoples. They will deliver facts on the current challenges Indigenous cultures face and how to break down the colonial structures of the past to reclaim their culture without assistance or intervention from Non-Indigenous Canadians.  Dr. Makokis and Mr. Johnson will provide practical insights on the importance of RECONCILIATION and deliver strategic advice on how each community member and leader can implement procedures to support the 94 TRC Calls to Action. The United Nations stated clearly that Canada could no longer be a first world country with third world conditions for Indigenous communities.

Youth Panel

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Moderator: Regan Ratt-Misponas, President, University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union

MMIWG – TRC Call to Action #41

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In this fireside conversation, Qajaq Robinson and Brian Eyolfson will discuss some of the findings and Calls for Justice set out in the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, Reclaiming Power and Place. This includes the importance of addressing pathways that maintain colonial violence, such as ignoring or denying the expertise and agency of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people. They will also discuss important principles for change that inform the Calls for Justice, and that are important guiding principles for their interpretation and implementation, such as: a focus on substantive equality and human and Indigenous rights; a decolonizing approach; inclusion of families and survivors; self-determined and Indigenous-led solutions and services; recognizing distinctions; cultural safety; and, a trauma-informed approach. While, Darlene Rose Okemaysim-Sicotte will share Seeds of Change strategies and best practices incorporated by a frontline grassroots organization that is working to educate people about the issue of missing and murdered aboriginal women and girls, as part of Reconciliation Saskatoon. She will also discuss how respect, recognition, and acknowledgement of rights can bring solidarity with non-indigenous allies from the settler society in an urban setting.  Iskwewuk means to find ways to restore and regenerate indigenous nationhood of our indigenous woman community so that there is continued and confirmed solidarity, accountability, and relationality to one another.

Moderator: Dorthea Swiftwolfe, Victim Services Coordinator, Saskatoon Victim Services

Restoring the Rights of Indigenous Women and Girls to Citizenship and Safety

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Recent federal legislative changes facilitated by the Honourable Dr. Lillian Dyck will restore the rights of Indigenous women to transmit Indian status in the same manner as men. In addition, amendments to the criminal code that she initiated restore the rights of female persons, particularly Indigenous, to equal protection of the law. These changes fulfil some of the recommendations in the UNDRIP and in the report of the NIMMIWG. The basic human rights of Indigenous women to belong to their respective nations, to live in their home communities were restricted in 1869, seven years before the Indian Act. An Indian woman who married a non-Indian man was no longer considered an Indian and she lost whatever rights that came with that status. By contrast, an Indian man who married a non-Indian woman was still considered to be Indian; furthermore, his wife became an Indian. It has taken 150 years to undo this discrimination against Indian women and some of the favouritism of Indian men. Senator Dyck will review the major legislative changes that culminated with the full implementation of Bill S-3, which eliminates all discrimination against women whose Indian status was revoked due to marrying out. These women were forced to live off the reserve; consequently, their safety was jeopardized due to poverty and racism. It is now well known and documented that Indigenous women and girls are much more likely than non- Indigenous females to be sexually assaulted, murdered or made missing. Moreover, their offenders, most of whom are male, are more likely to receive lighter sentences than when the victim is non-Indigenous. She will review recent changes to the criminal code in bill C-75 which will better balance the rights to justice for female victims of violence, especially those who are Indigenous.

Intercultural Competence - Indigenous and Newcomer Youth

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This presentation will explore the dynamics of working within and across Indigenous and newcomer communities. The talk is based on fifteen years of work within Winnipeg’s inner-city schools and five years of research on preparing teachers to work within them. It will blend theoretical with practical knowledge to engage participants in looking at the necessary personal and professional steps required to welcome the positive and transformative potential of diversity.

"The Red Worn Runners" Re-Imagining the Possibilities Alongside Indigenous Youth

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In this plenary, Dr. Sean Lessard will reflect on how his earlier work alongside youth in communities (Red Worn Runners) continues to shape his understandings of curriculum as a process that is fluid, transactional and filled with possibility. It is through these narrative experiences alongside the Red Worn Runners, that Lessard continues to draw on both philosophically and pragmatically in his research that explores youth and curriculum making both in and outside of school places; these places include communities across Western Canada where youth and families continue to guide his work.

Survivors’ Circle

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