Relationship agreement between York and the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council paves way for future collaboration – Excalibur Online
September 26, 2024
With the new School of Medicine underway, the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council (IPHCC) has signed a relationship agreement with York in order to address the harmful impacts of colonial practices on Indigenous health.
The agreement does not commit to any specific initiatives, but outlines the areas where the university and IPHCC can collaborate to advance Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) calls to action.
According to David Peters, the dean of the Faculty of Health at York, the agreement has been a work-in-progress since the provincial government approved the $9 million funding for the School of Medicine.
“The main issue for both sides is about building a good relationship of mutual trust and benefit, and how to do it,” says Peters.
Among other calls to action, the TRC calls upon those who can affect change in the healthcare system to “identify and close the gaps in health outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities,” “provide sustainable funding for existing and new Aboriginal healing centres,” “recognize the value of Aboriginal healing practices and use them in the treatment of Aboriginal patients,” and “increase the number of Aboriginal professionals working in the health-care field.”
