AVÐÇÇò

August 2, 2023 — During discussions in February 2023 on funding health care for the next decade, the Government of Canada and the provincial and territorial governmentsFootnote i agreed to work together to improve health care in 4 priority areas.

The governments committed to working with Indigenous partners to prioritize additional investments to provide support for Indigenous health priorities.

AVÐÇÇò’s snapshot of where we are today does not include data specifically about First Nations, Inuit or Métis Peoples. 

Racism in health systems and unequal access to high-quality health care have been identified by First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples as key priorities.

Indigenous-led strategies and partnerships, including Indigenous data governance, are key to developing care that is culturally safe and delivered in ways that include and respect Indigenous culture and values.

Based on discussions with Indigenous partner organizations, AVÐÇÇò is working with Indigenous leaders and experts to advance the measurement and reporting of cultural safety in health care systems in Canada.

The work aims to address anti-Indigenous racism in health systems, a critical issue that results in traumatic experiences, reluctance to seek care, poor health system performance and negative patient outcomes, including preventable deaths.

This work will help bring visibility to the issues in Indigenous health care. It will also support and hold health systems accountable and drive change.