Cultural awareness can improve how health needs are viewed and met. The key to having effective health care interactions is to understand the roots of someone’s thoughts, ideas and experiences.

Introduction to Indigenous Peoples

• A guide to including Indigenous perspective
• Aboriginal Peoples in Canada: First Nations People, Métis and Inuit

Introduction to land ownership

• Know the land territories campaign
• Guide to acknowledging First Peoples and traditional territory

Culture

These resources will help you understand the diversity of Indigenous culture as it relates to symbols, colours, foods and popular books by Indigenous authors: 

• Four directions teachings
• Our living languages: First Peoples’ voice in BC
• First Nations traditional foods fact sheets
• Canada embraces indigenous cuisine, a long-neglected culinary tradition
• Best books by Indigenous authors
• Common symbols
• Top 5 ways for you to participate in reconciliation
• How Stanley Redcrow and First Nations activists reclaimed the Blue Quill residential school

Here are some articles that delve into the health care system,medical laboratory and patient care as they relate to the Indigenous experience.

• HealthcareCAN releases wise practices to address the health-related truth and reconciliation commission (TRC) calls to action
• Wise practices for Indigenous-specific cultural safety training
• Ontario taking action on Indigenous health care
• Meeting expectations – A blueprint for sustaining the Allied Health Professionals
• New Cree medical app teaches doctors and patients medical terms to communicate
• Health inequalities and social determinants of Aboriginal Peoples’ Health
• Indigenous Health
• Diseases, conditions and Indigenous health

Indigenous cultures are diverse. Language is fluid and constantly changing; Canada is still working to figure out the best language and terminology to recognize all First Nations, Métis and Inuit. Here you will find resources on appropriate terminology:

• Indigenous Peoples terminology guidelines usage
• Indigenous peoples and cultures
• What’s in the a name: Indian, Native, Aboriginal or Indigenous
• Appropriate works and terminology for Aboriginal topics

These interactive pieces will show more about Indigenous history and communities:

Allyship Toolkit, learn more

3 free online courses on reconciliation and Indigenous education

Learn more about racism and how it impacts Indigenous People