Occupational Therapy: Commitment To Address Colonialism And Support Indigenous Peoples In Canada.pdf

This statement outlines a collective responsibility shared by occupational therapy organizations in Canada to address and redress colonialism within the profession, acknowledging its historical and ongoing impact on Indigenous peoples. It is based on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada's Calls to Action, and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Final Report.

Key Commitments:

1. Acknowledgement of Complicity: Recognize and express regret for harmful colonizing narratives, policies, and practices embedded in occupational therapy education, research, and practice.

2. Redressing Harms: Act to lessen, redress, and ultimately end the presence of colonizing elements and their consequences within the profession.

3. Documentation and Truth-telling: Document the history of complicity and acknowledge that truth-telling is essential for reconciliation.

4. Collaborative Relationships: Develop strategies to foster respectful relationships with Indigenous nations, communities, and organizations, valuing their strength, resilience, and contributions.

5. Specific Actions:

- Access to Culturally Safer Services: Improve access to culturally safer occupational therapy services and integrate Indigenous ways of knowing into evidence-informed practice.
- Indigenous Self-Determination: Support Indigenous self-determination in research, program evaluation, and publication.
- Recruitment and Mentorship: Recruit and retain Indigenous professionals, foster supportive environments, and create mentorship networks.
- Regulatory Expectations: Collaborate with regulators to establish expectations for working with Indigenous peoples.
- Curriculum Development: Promote Indigenous curriculum development and engagement with Elders and Knowledge Keepers.
- Career Promotion: Increase awareness of occupational therapy as a career choice among Indigenous students.