This inaugural conference, created and chaired by Dr. Anna Banerji, Director of Global and Indigenous Health at CPD, is unique as it brings together the voices and direction of Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) with the conference committee, a majority of whom are Indigenous healthcare providers. As well, all our plenary speakers and most of our workshops will be facilitated by Indigenous leaders. You can find out more details, register, submit abstracts and keep up to date with current conference developments at: www.cpd.utoronto.ca/indigenoushealth/
“We all know the problems and challenges of health inequities – now is the time to find new and sustainable solutions.”
This interdisciplinary conference is being held at the University of Toronto’s Conference Centre on November 20th and 21st 2014, and primarily targets healthcare providers (physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, midwives, social workers, community health representatives, rehabilitation specialists and other allied health professionals) to facilitate the translation and dissemination of knowledge about Indigenous health issues in Canada. The IHC will include keynote speakers, interactive workshops, poster presentations, exhibitors and a job fair to help match healthcare providers with hospitals and health boards.
The objectives of this inaugural conference are to share knowledge and build capacity in healthcare providers who serve Indigenous peoples in Canada, with an emphasis on cultural competency for working with Indigenous peoples, understanding the impact of history on the health of Indigenous peoples, focusing on major health care issues and strategizing on solutions.
Impactful Speakers and Insightful Workshops
The IHC is pleased to announce the following speakers for the conference:
- Dr. Evan Adams (Sliammon First Nation) Deputy Provincial Health Officer, British Columbia
- Dr. Janet Smylie (Métis), Research Scientist at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute and specialist in Inner City Health at St. Michael’s Hospital
- Dr. Taiaiake Alfred, (Mohawk), Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Victoria
- Dr. Lindsay Crowshoe (Peigan Nation), Director of the Aboriginal Health Program, University of Calgary.
Workshop themes will include Women’s Health (including Reproductive and Violence), Children’s Health, Mental Health (including Substance Abuse), Infectious Disease, Chronic Disease, Nutrition, Dental health, Determinants of Health (Housing, Poverty, etc.), Environmental Health, Health Care Systems, Cultural Competency and Safety, Traditional Ways and Self-Determination, Indigenous Research and Population Health Data.
“We believe that through examining the evidence on Indigenous health and creating dialogue about challenges and solutions, we can help create better educated, more culturally competent health care providers for Indigenous Peoples.”
A First Step Forward
CPD, Canada’s largest provider of continuing professional development, is proud to support the Indigenous Health Conference as another innovative program and a first for our office of Global and Indigenous Health under Dr. Banerji’s directorship.
Dr. Banerji is also the chair and course director for CPD’s North American Refugee Health Conference which will be held again in June 2015. Find out more about this conference.
Dr. Banerji is a noted advocate for social justice and healthcare equity and recently was named to the Order of Ontario in recognition of her outstanding work and achievement in the fields of refugee health and respiratory diseases in Inuit children. The first Indigenous Health Conference is the culmination of years of work and dedication advocating the causes of Indigenous Peoples. We hope you will join us.
“This conference will be a first step forward in celebrating the resilience of the Indigenous Peoples in Canada, contributing to social justice and debating, discussing and implementing real long term healthcare solutions.”