Truth to Action: Lived Experiences of Indigenous Healthcare Professionals Redressing Indigenous-Specific Racism

Area of Science:

• Indigenous Health
• Healthcare Systems
• Cultural Safety

Background:

• Discrimination, stereotyping, and bias-informed care negatively affect Indigenous health professionals' (IHPs) access to healthcare and retention.
• Westernized healthcare models often fail to support IHPs in addressing racism and maintaining cultural wellness.
• A gap exists in transforming health systems to be culturally safe and supportive for IHPs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the experiences of IHPs in mainstream healthcare.
• To understand how the work environment impacts the delivery of culturally safe practices.
• To document the lived experiences of IHPs in a provincial healthcare region.

Main Methods:

• Embodied Indigeneity in all research facets.
• Utilized Indigenous research methodologies.
• Facilitated three talking circles following Secwepemc protocols in a cultural and ceremonial context.

Main Results:

• IHPs confront experiences related to genocide.
• IHPs address Indigenous-specific racism.
• IHPs work to uproot toxicity and inequities, uphold Indigenous human rights, and enhance accountability in systems transformation.

Conclusions:

• IHP experiences extend beyond employment to advocacy for Indigenous rights, culturally safe environments, and dignified healthcare.
• Active IHP involvement is crucial for health system transformation.
• Redesigning healthcare must center Indigenous health and human rights for Indigenous Peoples.