Dentists develop reconciliation action plan – Winnipeg Free Press
Apr. 23, 2025
Designing and enacting an action plan for truth and reconciliation is a painstaking process, but the Manitoba Dental Association and its community partners are committed to doing so.
The MDA and Indigenous organizations have been collaborating for two years on this initiative. Dr. Alan Grant chairs the MDA task force on the issue. His great-grandmother hailed from Sagkeeng First Nation and he also has Métis ancestry. He said he is also motivated by the late Dr. Murray Sinclair, a former judge, senator and head of the Truth and Reconciliation commission, whom he met several times.
Grant said the task force has developed its goals, vision statement and guiding principles. It has focused on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action 22-24, and the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, articles 21, 23 and 24. They address issues such as better access to culturally appropriate health care, improved training on Indigenous health issues, and increasing the number of Indigenous health-care professionals.
