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Addressing racism in Indigenous health care

First Nations, Inuit, Métis Peoples and health system partners shared about their experiences of racism and culturally unsafe care in Alberta’s health care system and identified opportunities for more respectful, culturally safer care.

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Overview

The Government of Alberta is committed to creating a culturally safe and inclusive health care environment that respects and acknowledges the cultural identities, traditions and health care needs of First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities.

As part of advancing this commitment, Primary and Preventative Health Services held in-person and virtual information gathering sessions across Alberta between October and December 2024, supported by anonymous online survey. Participants shared experiences of racism throughout their health care journeys, along with wisdom and guidance for improvement. What was shared is helping shape the path toward meaningful change and more respectful, culturally safe, high- quality health care.

Status

  • Open

  • Results under review

  • Completed

Who is listening

Ministry of Primary and Preventative Health Services

What We Heard 

This report represents the collective wisdom shared with us by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals about their experiences with the health care system. Participants spoke about challenging experiences, as well as opportunities for systemic improvement.

Six key themes emerged:

  1. Access to culturally safe and patient-centered care
  2. Wholistic and Indigenous community-led approach that supports health and well-being across the four pillars of health
  3. Education and capacity-building for cultural competency
  4. Increased accountability for mistreatment towards Indigenous Peoples
  5. Challenges with health care system navigation and the cost of advocating
  6. Access to Indigenous health care expertise and cultural care

Informing the path forward

The report informs foundational efforts across Primary and Preventative Health Services to advance access to safer, culturally informed, high-quality health care with and for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, Peoples, including the Indigenous Anti-Racism Strategy and Indigenous cultural training.

Primary and Preventative Health Services remains committed to working in partnership with Indigenous communities to advance care that is welcoming, culturally safe, compassionate and healing.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who shared their experiences, wisdom and guidance.

Read the report

Learn more about culturally safer health care here.

Contact

For further information, contact the Indigenous Health Division:

Phone: 780-415-0767