Indigenous Health & Well-Being

Health Care Access

Access to quality and culturally relevant health care that serves an individual’s many health needs is a pillar of well-being. Health-care workers are not only important for the early diagnosis and treatment of chronic and acute medical conditions, but they are an important point-of-contact for many First Nations community members. Unfortunately, the legacy of colonialism has meant that First Nations communities have long experienced a lack of adequate, culturally appropriate health-care services.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action includes seven health-related recommendations which seek to improve the quality of care available in First Nations communities but are not limited to:

• Recognition and implementation of the health-care rights of Indigenous peoples,
• Establishment of measurable goals to close the gaps in health outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities,
• Recognition of the distinct health-care needs of Indigenous peoples,
• Provision of sustainable funding for healing centres,
• Recognition of the value of Indigenous healing practices,
• Increased number of Indigenous health-care professionals, and,
• Cultural competency training for those in the health-care field.

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