Indigenous Child & Youth Health

One of the priorities in the Canadian Paediatric Society’s strategic framework (2017-2022) is health equity for First Nations, Inuit and Métis children and youth. We advocate for policies and practices that address historic and systemic barriers to care and living conditions that have unfairly affected Indigenous children and youth in Canada.

Events and education for health professionals

• Providing culturally safe care for Indigenous children and youth (eCME, 2023): This 1.5 hour self-directed module examines key aspects of culturally safe care for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children, youth, and families, and how culturally safe care for Indigenous Peoples is practiced.

• International Meeting on Indigenous Child Health: A biennial joint conference with the American Academy of Pediatrics for health care providers and researchers who work with children, youth and families in American Indian, Alaska Native, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.

• Special Interest Group on First Nations, Inuit and Métis Health: Open to all CPS members.

Clinical guidance for health professionals

• COVID-19 and Indigenous children in Canada: What can paediatricans do? May 2020, Dr. Ryan Giroux, Dr. Cindy Blackstock, Dr. Radha Jetty, Dr. Susan Bennett, Dr. Sarah Gander
• Tuberculosis among First Nations, Inuit and Métis children and youth in Canada: Beyond medical management: Jan. 2020, First Nations, Inuit and Métis Health Committee
• Position statements from the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Health Committee.

Curriculum for paediatric residents

The Canadian Paediatric Society and the National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health have produced a 4-part training program on Indigenous child and youth health, designed for paediatric residents and suitable for other health professionals. The curriculum, which should be delivered by physicians with experience providing care to Indigenous children and youth, covers:

• Demographics, Data, and Federal Government Relations
• Common Medical Conditions
• History, Colonization and Social Determinants of Health
• Providing Culturally Safe Care

In this webinar, principal author Dr. Kent Saylor presents an overview of the curriculum and how to use it.

Curriculum materials include slide decks, speaker notes, and reference handouts, and are available to Canadian Paediatric Society members at no cost. Visit the Member Centre to access the files. If you are not a member, considering joining the CPS.

Reconciliation

• Letter to Prime Minister calling for investigation into deaths and disappearances of children at residential schools. June 2021.
• Antiracism resources for health professionals
• Partners in Reconciliation: Health care leaders working together as allies in Indigenous health.
  Video clips from an educational session delivered in June 2019.
• Paediatrics & Child Health (Jan. 2020) Who Matters? By Brett Schrewe
• Blog post (Nov. 2019): How paediatricians can support Indigenous girls and women by Dr. Kaleigh Hlady
• Blog post (Jan. 2018): “Truth and Reconciliation: As paediatricians, how can we make a difference?” by Dr. Radha Jetty and Dr. Sam Wong

References and resources for health care professionals

This section includes references for health care professionals who want to learn more about First Nations, Inuit and Métis culture, history and current socio-political contexts, as well as resources to help providers deliver the best care possible to Indigenous children, youth and families.

Our thanks to Dr. Véronique Pelletier and Dr. Émilie Beaulieu for gathering and vetting this list.

• Foundations for health care professionals: Indigenous peoples of Canada; colonization and its consequences; determinants of Indigenous peoples’ health
• Service delivery and clinical practice: Cultural competency and cultural safety in health care; health and social services; prevalent health conditions; specific genetic conditions
• Wise practices for health care professionals: Promoting resilience among Indigenous children and families; ethical research with Indigenous peoples
• For more in-depth learning: First Nations, Inuit and Métis organizations; documentaries, movies and podcasts; courses and training

Jordan’s Principle and the Inuit Child First Initiative

Jordan's Principle is a child-first principle designed to ensure that First Nations children do not experience delays, disruptions or denials related to services ordinarily available to other children in Canada. The Inuit Child First Initiative is a similar, federally-funded program for Inuit children and youth. There is no comparable program for Métis children and youth. 

• Survey of paediatricians’ knowledge and use of Jordan’s Principle: Executive summary of 2022 study
• Fact sheet. Jordan’s Principle and the Inuit Child First Initiative: Native Women’s Association of Canada
• How to access services under Jordan’s Principle: Infographic from First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada
• Requesting services under Jordan’s Principle: Indigenous Services Canada
• Supporting Inuit children (Inuit Child First Initiative): Indigenous Services Canada