Grant: Project Grant

The healthcare system in Canada was built on harmful power relationships established by colonialism, a racist ideology that assumes the superiority of one culture over another. Within the healthcare system, interactions between Indigenous patients and healthcare providers are often characterized by discrimination, racism and stigmatization. This research project involves a diverse and multidisciplinary team of Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers, health professionals, decision makers and patient partners. It aims to better understand and describe the stigmatization of Indigenous patients in the healthcare system, in order to develop educational and structural change strategies to address it. To do this, we will use several different data sources to better understand the attitudes, harmful beliefs, values and ideologies framing healthcare professionals' and students' perceptions of Indigenous peoples. These results will allow us to develop an accurate picture of the cultural risk for Indigenous patients in the healthcare system. Together with an Indigenous Advisory Committee, our team will build on the results to develop strategies that institutions, associations and organizations can use to counteract stigmatization and racism towards Indigenous peoples. The results of this study will synergistically contribute to ongoing efforts to promote cultural safety and to address the racism and stigmatization experienced by Indigenous patients in the healthcare system.