Saskatchewan Health Authority reaffirms Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action, honouring the 6,500 residential school survivors who have shared their stories. This reaffirmation was signed by SHA leadership and Traditional Knowledge Keepers during an event on September 26 at TCU Place in Saskatoon, that included participation from First Nations, Métis and health-system leaders from across Saskatchewan.
Since its initial commitment in 2019, the SHA initiated a number of actions, including enhancing cultural safety and anti-racism training for staff and physicians; increasing recruitment initiatives and retention and advancement opportunities for Indigenous staff; and incorporating traditional healing spaces and culturally responsive models of care into the builds of several major projects across the province in partnership with First Nations and Métis organizations.
“The SHA is committed to providing quality care and striving to achieve health equity for First Nations and Métis people by addressing barriers that exist in accessing this care,” said SHA CEO Andrew Will. “We are focused on advancing reconciliation by closing the gap in health outcomes that exists between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, building a health workforce that is more representative of the communities we serve, and partnering with Indigenous communities across the province to meet the needs of First Nations and Métis people.”
