How pharmacy professionals can mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day are observed annually on September 30 to honour Residential School Survivors, their families and communities, and to recognize the lasting impacts of Canada’s Residential School system.
The day is also an opportunity to learn, reflect and consider the role we can all play in advancing reconciliation. As a key entry point to our health system, the pharmacy community has an important role to play in supporting culturally safer, more inclusive care for First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples and in strengthening relationships with Indigenous patients and communities.
Pharmacy professionals can mark the day by learning more about Indigenous leadership in pharmacy and exploring resources to support culturally safer and more inclusive care.
CPhA stands with IPPC against racism
The Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) stands with Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada (IPPC) following the disturbing racist attack that disrupted its National Day for Truth and Reconciliation webinar today.
We unequivocally condemn this act of hate. Our support is with Amy Lamb, the IPPC team and everyone who experienced it.
Today’s conversation centred on truth before reconciliation. IPPC shared important truths about systemic racism, the experiences of Indigenous Peoples and the responsibility we all have to confront racism and create meaningful change. Sharing these truths takes openness, courage and trust.
This incident is a powerful reminder that this work cannot rest on Indigenous Peoples alone. There is no place for racism in pharmacy, health care or our communities. CPhA stands with IPPC and with its continuing work to advance understanding, accountability and change.
Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada
The Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada (IPPC) is an Indigenous-led association that has been established to connect and support Indigenous pharmacy professionals and help all pharmacists provide better care to Indigenous patients by creating and promoting pharmacy practice models that respect the safety, equality, strengths and teachings of the Indigenous Peoples of Canada. CPhA is proud to support and collaborate with IPPC.
Coming soon: New SRH toolkit supporting Indigenous, including Two-Spirit, patient care
CPhA will soon launch a new sexual and reproductive health (SRH) toolkit to support pharmacists in providing inclusive, culturally safe care for Indigenous, including Two-Spirit individuals.
Developed in collaboration with Indigenous professionals, with contributions, expertise, and oversight led by the Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada (IPPC), this toolkit will help pharmacists strengthen their understanding of Indigenous health systems, approaches to care and relationship-building with First Nations, Inuit and Métis patients and communities.
Supporting Indigenous students in pharmacy
The IPPC Indigenous Pharmacy Scholarship supports First Nations, Inuit and Métis students pursuing careers in pharmacy by helping reduce financial barriers and strengthen Indigenous representation and leadership in the profession. The program aims to help create a profession where Indigenous perspectives, knowledge and leadership help shape the future of pharmacy practice and patient care.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity, and Indigenous Health Modules for Pharmacy Professionals
Developed in partnership with the Association of Faculties of Pharmacy of Canada (AFPC), the Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada (IPPC), PRIDE-Rx and the Black Pharmacy Professionals of Canada, this pharmacy-specific training series helps pharmacists and pharmacy technicians strengthen their understanding of equity, diversity, inclusion, Indigenous wellness and culturally safe care.
- Register on AFPC’s eLearn platform at eLearnHCP.ca/pharmacy
In case you missed it! The Indigenous Terminology module is also available through the eLearn platform and is now available free of charge.
Pharmacy Check-Ins
We caught up with some Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals to talk about pharmacy practice and providing safe, inclusive health care to Indigenous communities.
Resource Round-up: Indigenous Health
Check out our Indigenous Health Resource Round-up for info and resources to help you provide accessible and inclusive care to Indigenous patients.
Recordings
Navigating the Non-Insured Health Benefits Program
CPhA and the Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada (IPPC) have created this series of short videos to help you navigate the NIHB program. These videos have transcripts; by clicking on the CC button you have the option to turn on captions in French or English.
Pharmacy professionals’ guide to navigating the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program (April 9, 2024)
The webinar explores how to navigate and administer the NIHB program, challenges facing providers and patients in accessing the program, and approaches to culturally safe patient care when faced with coverage or other barriers.
Understanding the Indigenous experience from both sides of the pharmacy counter (June 19, 2023)
In this session, you’ll hear from a panel of Indigenous pharmacy professionals as they discuss their experiences within the pharmacy community, the role that pharmacists can play in understanding and addressing health disparities facing Indigenous patients and communities and how we can better provide culturally safe, inclusive care.