b'INDIGENOUS PERSPECTIVEThe opening of the Indigenous Students Centre at the Surrey campus of Simon Fraser UniversityHEALINGTHESCHOOLSBy Andrew BrooksM e d i c a l s c h o o l s a r e i n c r e a s i n g l y d o i n g m o r e t o a c c o m m o d a t e I n d i g e n o u s s t u d e n t s , b u t t h e r e s s t i l l a l o n g w a y t o g o DR. JAMAICA CASSTORONTO A andenteringoneIndigenous med school aspirants faceMETROPOLITAN growing number of IndigenousUNIVERSITYstudents are choosing medicalmore economic, cultural and social obsta-careerscles than do many of their peers. ofCanadasmanymedical schools. Just a few decadesThese obstacles and the need to address ago Indigenous physicians were a rarity;them were recognized by the Truth and today there are far more of them andReconciliation Commission (TRC) when it they are starting to enter leadership ranks,released its Calls to Action in 2015. Several where they will have more influence onof the Calls to Action addressed educa-the profession. tional inequities faced by Indigenous students, but Calls to Action 23 and 24 Buttheresstillalotofgroundtospecifically addressed medical educa-make up. According to the Canadiantion. They call for government support Medical Association, fewer than oneto increase the number of Indigenous per cent of physicians in Canada iden- medical practitioners and the develop-tify as Indigenous, despite the fact thatment of a medical school curriculum that Indigenous Peoples make up nearly fiverecognizes and addresses Indigenous per cent of the nations population.health issues and history along with awareness of Indigenous health practices. The main issue is simple enough: moreIn 2019, all Canadian medical schoolsDR. EVAN ADAMS Indigenous students need to be admittedresponded by committing to increaseFIRST NATIONSto Canadas 17 medical schools. But manyIndigenous enrolment.HEALTH AUTHORITY62A CCIB PUBLICATIONSpring 2025'