Indigenous-led Health Initiatives

Indigenous-led Health Initiatives reflects RCCbc’s ongoing commitment to truth and reconciliation, cultural safety, and Indigenous leadership in rural health care. In 2025, this work centred on relationship, accountability and learning through RCCbc for Inclusion, Social Justice and Equity (RISE) and the Indigenous Medical Education Gathering (IMEG).

This work also connects with other RCCbc initiatives that support culturally safer, relationship-based approaches to leadership and care, including Compassionate Leadership.

The 2025 Indigenous Medical Education Gathering at the Musqueam Cultural Centre.

Achievements

Strengthening RCCbc’s commitment to truth and reconciliation

In 2025, the RISE Committee continued reviewing and strengthening RCCbc’s commitment to truth and reconciliation. This work focused on active accountability: examining current practices, identifying areas for growth and supporting RCCbc to move its commitments into actions and relationships.

The committee’s work supports internal learning and institutional responsibility. It aligns with Call to Action 57, which calls for education on Indigenous history, the legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Indigenous rights, Indigenous law, and Indigenous-Crown relations.

2025 Indigenous Medical Education Gathering

The 2025 Indigenous Medical Education Gathering (IMEG), held March 7–9, 2025, was organized by a collaborative planning committee and guided by Elders. The gathering brought together Indigenous physicians, medical students, residents, midwives, health science students, community members and non-Indigenous allies to reflect, connect and support one another in medical education and the health system.

Participants described the sharing circles with Elders, connection with peers and time in community as re-energizing. Many reflected on the importance of self-care, ceremony and connection in their day-to-day lives and work.

This work aligns with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action 23 and 24, which call for increasing the number of Indigenous professionals in health care and providing cultural competency training that integrates Indigenous knowledge, histories and rights.

Strengthening dialogue through rural health learning

In August 2025, a RISE Committee co-chair presented at Learning Sessions with the Rural Doctors Network of Australia. The session engaged RDN and RCCbc participants in dialogue about equitable health access in British Columbia, grounding the conversation in the history of colonization and its ongoing impacts on Indigenous Peoples.

The session moved beyond awareness by highlighting concrete actions being taken toward reconciliation within health systems. It also supported cross-jurisdictional learning between Canada and Australia.

Explore the numbers

72 Attendees

The 2025 Indigenous Medical Education Gathering welcomed 72 attendees, including physicians, residents, medical students, Elders, health science students, non-Indigenous allies and participants from the Rural Doctors Network of Australia.

Making a Difference

“A lot of trauma happens between people, and so healing needs to happen there too, in relationship, in community. That’s what makes gatherings like this so important. We need communities of safety, of resistance, and of healing, places where we can work through harm together and move forward.”

Dr. Terri Aldred, Indigenous Medical Education Gathering 2025

IMEG created space for Indigenous physicians, learners, Elders, community members and allies to be together in relationship, ceremony, reflection and learning. Participants described the gathering as a place of connection and renewal within the ongoing work of changing medical education and health care.

Project Partnerships

IMEG was supported through a partnership with the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada, UBC, Elders and community members, the First Nations Health Authority and RCCbc.

RISE also worked with the Rural Doctors Network of Australia and RCCbc to support learning and dialogue across jurisdictions.

Plans for the Future

In 2026, RISE team members will continue work on RCCbc’s Truth and Reconciliation report, which will be shared publicly. The report will support a broader conversation about how RCCbc initiatives and programs respond to the In Plain Sight report and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, and how this work can continue with accountability, humility and care.

The committee will also begin strategic planning to guide its next phase of work.