Creating a Future of Our Own Design: The International Indigenous HealthFusion Team Challenge as a Promising Practice to Support Indigenous Students in Health Fields

Abstract

Training and recruitment of First Nations and Indigenous health professionals is part of reconciliation, addressing health disparities and embedding cultural safety and humility into the health ecosystem of the province of British Columbia (BC), Canada. Calls to develop the First Nations and Indigenous health workforce are articulated within the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action 23, BC’s Transformative Change Accord: First Nations Health Plan, and the seven directives that guide the work of the First Nations Health Authority in BC and its health governance partners. This article brings forward the voices of current Indigenous students training in allied health professions at the University of British Columbia and their Indigenous mentors who participated in the 2018 International Indigenous HealthFusion Team Challenge in Sydney, Australia. The Challenge represents a promising practice in training Indigenous health professionals here in BC as it: (1) Affirmed their Indigenous identity, knowledge, and aspirations, supporting them to become more “visible” as Indigenous students; (2) Created a space where both Indigenous and mainstream health discipline knowledges were encouraged, valued, and respected; (3) Provided opportunity to connect with Indigenous peers and health leaders; and (4) Built students’ confidence to take on leadership roles. First Nations and Indigenous students studying in health fields represent the future of BC’s health and wellness ecosystem that brings together the best of Indigenous and mainstream healing approaches. Creating opportunities for students to grow as Indigenous health leaders is part of reconciliation and the new relationship represented by the BC First Nations Health Governance Structure.