About the Conference

In 2020, the Faculty of Health Sciences, the McMaster Indigenous Research Institute, and the McMaster Indigenous Health Movement came together to host the inaugural Indigenous Community Health and Research Conference (ICHR). Titled “Coming Together to Co-Create Health Equity”, the 3-day conference convened healthcare practitioners, researchers, community stakeholders, and students to share knowledge and identify opportunities to co-create solutions for more equitable healthcare for Indigenous peoples.

Seeking to build upon the success of the inaugural ICHR, the Indigenous Health Learning Lodge and McMaster Indigenous Health Movement are proud to present the 2021 Indigenous Health Conference. Taking place on February 27th, the theme of the conference is centered on combatting anti-Indigenous racism through institutional and individual allyship. Conference attendees will hear from researchers, healthcare practitioners, traditional practitioners, and health advocates about the ways in which racism and bias in healthcare disproportionately impact the health of Indigenous peoples in Canada. Speakers will discuss how institutions are leading the charge for healthcare reform to provide equitable and culturally safe care, as well as the integral role of personal health advocacy towards this outcome.

The conference is open to researchers, healthcare practitioners, traditional practitioners, students, and community members alike, to create a day of meaningful relationship building and the sharing of knowledge.

Target Audience:

• Community Elders and Knowledge Holders
• Researchers and Knowledge Users
• Community Members
• Students and Apprentices
• Traditional practitioners
• Primary Care Practitioners

Schedule & Speakers

See below for the schedule (some sessionsTBA). Follow our Instagram and Facebook pages for speaker announcements!

About Us

Indigenous Health Learning Lodge: In response to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, the McMaster University Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) established the Indigenous Health Initiative (IHI) in April of 2017. Under the leadership of Dr. Bernice Downey, the IHI undertook an 18-month long active strategic planning phase, yielding a comprehensive FHS Indigenous Health Education Strategic Plan. The implementation of the Strategic Plan is being led by the Indigenous Health Learning Lodge within the FHS, which seeks to support an Indigenous academic community of staff, faculty, students, and Elders with linkages to internal and external collaborators. The development of the Learning Lodge seeks to build momentum in establishing an Indigenous structural presence within the FHS, supporting the structural reform needed to close gaps in health outcomes, educating non-Indigenous health care professionals, and addressing barriers for Indigenous learners and scholars in the FHS. More information about the Indigenous Health Initiative and the Indigenous Health Learning Lodge can be found here.

McMaster Indigenous Health Movement: The McMaster Indigenous Health Movement (IHM), founded in 2016, is an interdisciplinary, student-run initiative that works to bring together Indigenous and allied student leaders to educate students, faculty, and community members on topics surrounding Indigenous health, while uplifting Indigenous voices and centralizing Indigenous knowledge. Throughout the school year, the Executive Team plans Learning Circle workshops and webinars, as well as outreach initiatives with local Indigenous organizations. During the Fall 2020 term, we adapted our operations to the online platform and hosted a virtual nature walk with a Knowledge Keeper from Six Nations, as well as a virtual Cooking Class with an Elder from Curve Lake. Last year, IHM collaborated with the Faculty of Health Sciences and the McMaster Indigenous Research Institute to host an Indigenous Community Health and Research Conference (the agenda for the conference can be found here). Following a successful collaboration, we decided to undertake a yearly partnership with the Indigenous Health Initiative to co-host the conference. More information about IHM can be found here.

Question and Concerns

Please email macihc@mcmaster.ca with any questions or concerns about the conference!