AMC Responds to Shared Health’s Release of Race and Identity-Based Data

Press Release

June 20, 2025

Treaty One Territory, Winnipeg, MB – The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) acknowledges Shared Health’s release of preliminary data on race, ethnicity, and Indigenous identity (REI) as a long-overdue but essential step toward confronting systemic racism in Manitoba’s health-care system.

“The data from this report confirms what our communities have long known – First Nations people continue to face disproportionate delays and inequities in access to health care,” stated Grand Chief Kyra Wilson. “While it is hard to see these truths confirmed in numbers, this transparency is a vital first step. True reconciliation in health care demands not just acknowledgement, but immediate and sustained action.”

The REI data gathered through a first-in-Canada initiative shows that North American Indigenous and Black patients wait the longest to be seen, despite presenting with similar levels of medical urgency as white patients. These patterns are not new; they reflect generations of systemic neglect and racism.

The AMC commends Dr. Anderson and Shared Health, along with the Ongomiizwin Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing and the George & Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation, for leading this work in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #19. The data not only affirms the urgency of action but creates a foundation upon which informed, community-led solutions can be built.

“This joint REI work has been undertaken based on the direction and governance of Manitoba First Nations leadership, supported by the Health Information Research Governance Committee and co-led by our FNHSSM research team. The data that has been collected documents a story of racism that many of our First Nations people experience while seeking critical emergency care, a story that demonstrates what we already know as First Nations.” stated Chief Kent, Chair, FNHSSM Board of Directors,  “Now we have the evidence to work collaboratively to address systematic changes and requiring health care professionals and front-line administrators to take anti-racism training to ensure our First Nations citizens are treated with the same quality, dignity and care that we all deserve while seeking emergency care.”

First Nations in Manitoba are not waiting for change, we are leading it. From the development of the First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba’s Data Governance Framework to the “We Will Take Good Care of the People” Indigenous Cultural Safety and Anti-Racism Training, First Nations have consistently advanced the tools and knowledge required to improve care and confront racism in meaningful ways.

However, these efforts must be supported, resourced, and scaled. The AMC calls on the Province of Manitoba to move beyond acknowledgement and into full partnership with First Nations leadership to co-develop and implement solutions rooted in First Nations rights, Treaty obligations, and health sovereignty.

This includes:

• Embedding First Nations governance at all levels of health-care decision-making;
• Expanding First Nations-led cultural safety and anti-racism training across the system;
• Ensuring distinctions-based data collection is directed by First Nations data sovereignty principles; and
• Funding interventions that are evidence-based, community-informed, and rooted in the lived experiences of First Nations citizens.

“Systemic racism in health care is not isolated to emergency departments,” said Grand Chief Wilson. “We need a complete transformation, one that begins with listening to First Nations and ends with equitable, culturally safe care for every single person.”

The AMC remains committed to holding all levels of government accountable until First Nations no longer face disproportionate harm simply for seeking care. The work of reconciliation in health must be led by First Nations, and the time to act is now.

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For more information, please contact:

Communications Team
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Email:  media@manitobachiefs.com

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