May 23, 2017

Emergency Medicine: Indigenous Health Learning Day

Emergency Medicine
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INDIGENOUS HEALTH LEARNING DAY

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The first ever Indigenous Health Learning day is taking place on Wednesday, July 26th at the Kanata Cultural Centre on the 6 Nations of the Grand River Territory.

This is a day of fun interactive learning and Indigenous culture exposure to build on our understanding of Indigenous peoples in Canada - specifically, the Haudenosaunee/Onhkwehonweh. ED Residents will have the opportunity to hear a first hand account of a Residential School Survivor and walk local trails that students use to frequent, walk within a real Mohawk Longhouse, eat a traditional lunch, learn about traditional medicine and healing, and play traditional games.

This interactive day will increase awareness and understanding of the history, cultures, perspectives and contributions of First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples in Canada. More specifically, it will highlight the importance of respecting and valuing our Indigenous patients with the goal of improving our delivery of culturally safe care in the ED.

Guest speaker:

Dr. Samantha Boshart is both Anishinaabe and German Mennonite descent from the golden eagle clan (kinew dodem) and a member of the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation (deshkaanziibi). She graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Medical Science in 2005, Doctor of Medicine in 2011 and completed her family medicine residency in 2013. In 2014, she became a mother to her first daughter, Waabiigiizhigokwe. In her spare time she teaches and practices yoga, with over 500 hours of personal practice.

She is committed to providing medical education to future physicians regarding the impact of racism, ignorance and complacency on the health outcomes of Indigenous people in her role as faculty member at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University. She then uses both her knowledge of allopathic and Indigenous medicine to support and encourage the patient down a path of healing and wellness. Dr. Boshart is inspired to work with Indigenous people to encourage them to reclaim their health and wellness. She intends to improve the health of her patients through a combination of Western and Indigenous approaches.