This document provides an overview of the concept of a land acknowledgment, why it is important, and protocols associated with public land acknowledgment 

This document provides an overview of the smudging protocol for the burning of traditional and sacred medicines, scope of the smudging protocol, and relevant smudging procedures

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) was created as part of the Indian Residential Schools (IRS) Settlement Agreement. The goal of TRC is to inform all Canadians about what happened in Indian Residential School and how it affected the IRS students, their families, and communities. Through statement gathering, research, and public education the TRC hopes to guide and inspire Indigenous peoples and Canadians in a process of reconciliation and renewed relationship that is based on mutual understanding and respect.

The work of the TRC has been transferred to the University of Manitoba National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

The following document is a summary of the findings from the Commission's final multi-volume report. The Final Summary Report provides an overview of what the Commission did, how it went about its work, as well as what was heard, read, and concluded about the Residential Schools based on the available evidence:

The following documents are the Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada:

The following document is a summary of 94 Calls to Action to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation published by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada:

This document written by Dr. Jackson A. Smith provides an overview of Indigenous Allyship and how to develop Allyship with Indigenous communities.

This toolkit provides a three-step approach that non-Indigenous people can take to have a better relationship with Indigenous people

This article published by Allen et al., provides an overview of how Indigenous-led partnerships improve health outcomes 

The following resources outline how COVID-19 pandemic impacts Indigenous health and communities. For regular updates on COVID-19 and Indigenous health, please visit the National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health website.

Click to watch the podcast on pandemic preparedness in First Nations communities by Marlene Larocque and Dr. Myrle Ballard

Click to see the latest Chiefs of Ontario COVID-19 Updates

The Faculty of Health Sciences Indigenous Health Initiative has been working closely with various community stakeholders, including Six Nations Health Services and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Social and Health Services, in the Indigenous health strategic planning process.

This document is a commentary by Dr. Chelsea Gabel, Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Well-Being, Community Engagement, and Innovation, at McMaster University. Dr. Gabel provides an overview of her program of research, the need to recognize Indigenous engaged research in the academy, and challenges faced as an Indigenous scholar.

This document written by Dr. Adam Gaudry and Dr. Danielle Lorenz provides an overview of indigenization of the Canadian Academy in a three-part spectrum: Indigenous inclusion, reconciliation Indigenization, and decolonial Indigenization.

This document provides an overview of the Indigenous methods and methodologies to improve research practices; ethical guidelines in Indigenous health research; appropriate ways to report Indigenous health outcomes; and unique knowledge and skills possessed by Indigenous scholars.

This document provides recent data on equity, diversity, and inclusion at Canadian Universities.

There are multiple programs across McMaster University that provide and are linked to Indigenous health and/or education.

In addition to the Faculty of Health Sciences Indigenous Health Initiative, various programs are engaging in their own Indigenous health strategic planning process:

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences is engaged in a two-year strategic plan, with the goals of understanding Indigenous experiences, building capacity with Indigenous communities, and expanding the recruitment of and support for Indigenous learners in the program.

School of Nursing is currently engaged in a strategic planning process to enhance and develop a responsive, supportive, and innovative Indigenous health/nursing education initiative.

The following are various programs or services related to Indigenous health education and research:

The Indigenous Students Health Sciences (ISHS) Office has been dedicated to providing services and supports for the academic success and wellbeing of all Indigenous students in the Faculty of Health Sciences. ISHS Office provides a wide range of services including but not limited to career & academic advising, cultural & peer support, and mentorship programs.

McMaster Indigenous Research Institute (MIRI) has been dedicated to lead and inform Indigenous research, build and enhance the existing research infrastructure, create opportunities for innovative interdisciplinary research, and enhance knowledge translation.

Indigenous Studies Program (ISP) is designed for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners to explore the intellectual traditions of many Indigenous peoples.

Indigenous Student Services (ISS) was created in order to support current and future First Nations, Inuit, Métis students attending McMaster. There are a wide range of wellness, financial, and community building services that are available for students to access.

Cancer Care Ontario provides free Indigenous Relationship and Cultural Safety Training Courses to educate and inform learners with the knowledge needed to provide culturally appropriate, person-centered care.

Ontario Indigenous Cultural Safety Program is an interactive and facilitated online training program for all healthcare professionals working in the Ontario health and social service system. Core Indigenous Cultural Safety training provides learners an opportunity to examine the ways in which culture, education, and historical interactions have shaped health practices. 

This document provides an overview of the different cultural safety training and experiential learning opportunities for faculty, staff, and learners.