Indigenous Peoples and Health in Canada

In this video, an Indigenous woman named Samaria describes her young adult life after giving birth and developing postpartum depression requiring admission to a hospital diagnosed with Bipolar.  She explains her trauma growing up and into adulthood because of her father living in a residential school.  Samaria Cardinal shares a heartbreaking story of how her depression and treatment plan contributed to her suicidal ideation until, she fired her healthcare team and created a new therapeutic relationship supporting spiritual healing which led her to her recent advocacy work in Canada.

The Harvard International Review, a quarterly magazine offering expert analysis of current topics by leading international leaders, published this article by Katalina Toth in early 2022 commenting on health system disparities after the establishment of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2008 through to 2015.

This peer-reviewed article discusses the drivers to improve statistical reporting on suicide rates for the Indigenous population.  The authors go on to generate recommendations such as new or renewed partnerships with governments and indigenous authorities, engagement of Indigenous communities and the application of an indigenous evidence-based framework to guide the work moving forward.