Self-reflection and learning: resources for healthcare professionals marking the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

This year physicians, hospitals, universities, medical organizations and other communities across the country are observing the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. September 30 has been established to honour the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families and communities. The intent of the day is for Canadians to reflect upon and commemorate the legacy of residential schools, murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls, and to become more aware of our collective responsibilities for reconciliation with First Nation, Inuit and Métis (FNIM) communities. Read: CFPC launches family medicine Indigenous health supplement “The first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation is the first step to acknowledge the tragic past—the truth—and to move forward together—reconciliation,” said Dr. Darlene Kitty, a Cree family physician in Chisasibi, northern Quebec, who is also chair of the College of Family Physicians of Canada’s Indigenous health committee, and director of the MD Indigenous program at the University of Ottawa. “Indigenous peoples and Canadians must take this step together to start a history of understanding, respect, support and healing for residential school survivors, their families and the children found in unmarked graves,” she said. Read Dr. Marcia Anderson: As an Indigenous doctor, I see the legacy of residential schools and ongoing racism in today's healthcare Dr. Kitty believes that for physicians who want to support and help the healing for Indigenous colleagues, patients and communities, “the journey starts with knowledge.” “Physicians, healthcare teams and administrators can begin by learning more about residential schools and those lost children found in unmarked graves,” she said. “They can think about how this still negatively impacts the health and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples today—self-reflect and consider how you can improve health outcomes of Indigenous patients and families and contribute to reconciliation.” Dr. Kitty emphasizes the importance of sourcing information that is reliable and truly reflective of the experiences of FNIM peoples. To facilitate that learning, Dr. Kitty created an extensive list of resources and links for healthcare providers (and others), available through the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada, called Indigenous Health and Other Resources. From the long list, Dr. Kitty particularly recommends the non-fiction book, A Knock on the Door: The Essential History of Residential Schools from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada; and 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act: Helping Canadians Make Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples a Reality by Bob Joseph. For films, Dr. Kitty recommends We Were Children, a documentary in which the profound impact of the Canadian government’s residential school system is conveyed through the eyes of two children; and Indian Horse, based on the novel by Richard Wagamese. The resource list includes links to educational websites and journal articles on improving Indigenous health, among them 'Improving Aboriginal Health: How can health professionals contribute?' from Canadian Family Physician and 'The intergenerational effects of Indian Residential Schools' from Transcult Psychiatry. It also highlights non-fiction books, including Medicine Unbundled: A Journey Through the Minefields of Indigenous Health Care by Gary Geddesto and fiction such as Halfbreed by Maria Campbell; documentaries including Nîpawistamâsowin: We Will Stand Up; and other films such as Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner and the Snow Walker. Read: New film highlights Indigenous Canadians' experience with the healthcare system

Self-reflection and learning: resources for healthcare professionals marking the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

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