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Required Readings:
Required: Allen, L., Hatala, A., Ijaz, S., Courchene, D., & Bushie, B. (2020). Indigenous-led
health care partnerships in Canada. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 192 (9)
E208-216. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.190728
Required: First Nations Health Society. (2010). First Nations Traditional Models of
Wellness: Environmental scan in British Columbia.
https://www.fnha.ca/WellnessSite/Documents/Traditional_Models_of_Wellness_Report_
2010.pdf
This weeks readings get into the promising practices around integrating Indigenous
traditional health and healing modalities within the western biomedical model of health
delivery. Where might you begin to incorporate traditional models of wellness into policy
development? Additionally, how might you evaluate the effectiveness of these indicators
in a program evaluation?
Alternatively, discuss whether you agree with some of the cautions shared in the
readings about the appropriateness of bridging western and Indigenous science. What
are the challenges of doing so? What are the opportunities?
Please limit your answer to 500 words (Max). Please respond to at least one other
students’ post.
Response
Some of the cautions shared about the appropriateness of bridging western and
Indigenous science that I agree with are; unequal power relationships between
Indigenous and non-Indigenous health practices which creates Elders fearing that their
healing practices may be culturally appropriated, loss of autonomy, overharvesting plant
medicines, disrespectful treatment, unfair funding arrangements, loss of autonomy, and
tokenism (Allen et al., 2020). These challenges can create a divide between traditional
healers and medical doctors (Allen et al., 2020). By bridging western and Indigenous
science there needs to be a respectful discussion and agreement within communities
about how this can work for healers and healthcare workers. Because of colonial
oppression within Canada, many Indigenous people and communities lack trust in the
healthcare system. Implementing Indigenous-led partnerships can help create trust
between the broken relationships within Canada and Indigenous communities.
Another challenge could be the availability of each party to meet to create a holistic care
plan for patients; for example, there should be communication between a traditional
healer and a medical doctor for certain prescriptions as there could be a drug
interaction. Another challenge could be the lack of funding for traditional medicine in
certain areas. For example, with my status card benefits I have certain coverages like
some prescriptions and treatments but when it comes to alternative healing like a
naturopath doctor, I need to have secondary insurance. I also do not have access to a
traditional healer in my city so access to a healer could be another challenge for many
urban Indigenous people, especially if a traditional healer is not located in a certain area.
Some of the opportunities can create an understanding and an appreciation of different
perspectives of healing in many different traditions and cultures. Blending Indigenous
and western sciences can create a culturally safe environment that addresses health
inequalities in many healthcare facilities. Another point I found interesting in Dr. Kyba’s
PowerPoint was that traditional healing treats the entire person holistically rather while
western healing focuses on treating symptoms (Kyba, 2008). This could be very
beneficial to treating the entire person holistically to live a healthier life in all aspects of
mind, body, and spirit. When people are living healthy and culturally rich lifestyles this
may create leadership toward even more shared knowledge within communities and this
can help encourage healthy communities.
Allen, L., Hatala, A., Ijaz, S., Courchene, D., & Bushie, B. (2020). Indigenous-led health care
partnerships in Canada. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 192 (9) E208-216.
https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.190728
Kyba, G. (2008, November). Holistic Health Traditional Medicine & Naturopathic
Medicine. First Nations Health Council. UBC House of Learning, BC.
https://www.fnha.ca/WellnessSite/Documents/Traditional_Medicine_overview.pdf