McMaster University’s Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) Worked collaboratively with multiple on/off campus partners to develop a comprehensive Indigenous Health Initiative (IHI) in order to better integrate Indigenous cultural knowledge into educational and research programs within the Faculty. This process resulted in the development of the Indigenous Health Learning Lodge – a structural entity within the FHS to ensure the continued relationship between Indigenous staff, students, community and faculty is integrated into all future decisions within the FHS.

The Lodge was developed through the Indigenous Health Initiative as a response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Report released in 2015.

As outlined in the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC), the current state of Indigenous health inequity in Canada is linked to the overall impact of colonization and government assimilative policy. The education of all health care practitioners must prepare them to work with Indigenous people towards closing the gap in health outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations.

The TRC provided seven health-specific Calls to Action including a call for medical and nursing schools to establish a curriculum that will inform students regarding the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, and Indigenous teachings and practices. Health science students and faculty require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.

Work on the Indigenous Health Initiative, and subsequently the Indigenous Learning Lodge began in April of 2017 and Dr. Bernice Downey, a medical anthropologist was recruited in the role of Indigenous Health Lead.  In 2021, Dr. Downey was promoted to the Associated Dean of Indigenous Health within the FHS. As the Lodge is launched the emphasis will be on relationship building, raising awareness about the Lodge and implementing the Strategic Plan created by the Indigenous Health Initiative. The pace has been vigorous as various individuals have demonstrated both commitment and diligence to support this initiative.

In 2021, after a successful phase of recruitment the inaugural Executive Director of the IHLL was hired – Alexandra Trottier. Alexandra is a Social Worker by trade and has an extensive history in Mental Health, and experience in leadership in Indigenous organizations.

Also involved in the Lodge are our administrative support people, including a faculty advisor, administrative assistants, program advisor, recruitment liaison officer and program coordinator.

The purpose of the Lodge is to implement the Indigenous Health Initiatives Strategic Plan. There are 6 main pillars of the strategic plan: Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Student Supports & Services, Faculty Leadership & Support, Research, Education & Curriculum, and Administration.

Indigenous Ways of knowledge is focused on creating protocols, policies and guidelines that integrate Indigenous Knowledge into the FHS and ensuring that we support our Knowledge Helpers, Elders, students, and community members.

Student Supports & Services is focused on ensuring that students are supported, physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally, and financially while at McMaster. SS&S also strives to reduce barriers for current and future students and improve existing services for Indigenous students.

Faculty Leadership and Support is focused on developing culturally safe skills for non-Indigenous faculty by implementing cultural safety training and ensuring that there is a culturally safe learning environment for Indigenous learners. In addition to this this pillar focused on ensuring that there is increased visibility of students and faculty by actively recruiting faculty to the FHS and ensuring that they have a culturally safe work environment

Research is focused on developing and enhancing partnerships with Indigenous communities to advance Indigenous health research. This includes increasing awareness of the need for, and existing Indigenous research and fostering new opportunities for research.

Education & Curriculum focuses on creating and enhancing Indigenous education curriculum within the FHS. Additionally, this pillar strives to increase institutional capacity to educate students about Indigenous knowledge, health, and history.

Administration is focused on developing relationships with Indigenous communities and community members. This area is focused on recruiting and retaining faculty and students and ensuring that there is a strong Indigenous structural & policy presence within the FHS

Yes! We have bi-weekly Core Curriculum Review Group meetings that are held on Mondays. If you’d like to bring forward a syllabus or request assistance with your course development email ihll@mcmaster.ca and we will guide you on next steps.

Yes! We frequently get requests for speakers at conferences, symposiums, lunch & learns & as guest speakers in courses. Please forward any requests to ihll@mcmaster.ca and you will be guided on next steps!

If you are interested in learning more about our current projects & how you can get involved, please do not hesitate to contact us to see how we can collaborate on improving our relationships and knowledge together. See our “contact us” section for updated contact information.