Resources for Pharmacy Professionals to Support Indigenous Cultural Competency

In order to support pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in understanding how they can help enhance the health and wellbeing of Indigenous people living in Ontario, the College is sharing a number of resources from external organizations below. This is part of the College Board’s 2019 Indigenous cultural competency and safety commitment.

Indigenous cultural competency refers to the lifelong journey of learning, through a practical experience of understanding, Indigenous Culture relating to the diversity of Indigenous values, traditions and beliefs (Troy Hill, June 2021).

The following free resources explore Indigenous identity and history, truth and reconciliation, and culturally competent healthcare. Registrants are encouraged to take the time to review the resources that are most relevant to their interest and practice. Owners and managers may wish to select particular items of relevance to their organization for staff education purposes.

These resources have been curated from a variety of sources, including government websites, healthcare organizations, advocacy bodies and Indigenous-led organizations. This is not an exhaustive list and additional resources will continue to be added to the page on an ongoing basis. If you know of any resources that the College should consider including in this list, please email communications@ocpinfo.com.

Note: These resources are shared for continuing education purposes for pharmacy professionals. Inclusion of the resources below should not be construed as an endorsement of the particular content or organization.

Indigenous Identity and History
Resource Name Organization Description Webpage
Indigenous history Government of Canada The history of Indigenous people in Canada, reconciliation and more. https://www.canada.ca/en/services/culture/history-heritage/indigenous-history.html
#IndigenousReads Government of Canada #IndigenousReads encourages reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples through sharing literature written by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1472674362414/1557776582786
National Indigenous Peoples Day Government of Canada Content to support the recognition and celebration of National indigenous Peoples Day on June 21. https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1100100013248/1534872397533
Treaties in Ontario Government of Ontario Learn more about the treaties, treaty relationships and treaty rights that shape Ontario. https://www.ontario.ca/page/treaties
What it means to be Métis today CBC News In a video for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, Rosie Darling tells the story of her culture and talks about what it means to be Métis. https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1825005123783
Truth and Reconciliation
Resource Name Organization Description Webpage
Heritage Minutes: Chanie Wenjack Historica Canada The story of Chanie “Charlie” Wenjack, whose death sparked the first inquest into the treatment of Indigenous children in Canadian residential schools. https://www.historicacanada.ca/content/heritage-minutes/chanie-wenjack
Beyond 94: Truth and Reconciliation in Canada CBC News Sharing, explaining and monitoring the progress of the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/longform-single/beyond-94?&cta=1
Orange Shirt Day Orange Shirt Day Learn more about Orange Shirt Day on September 30 and how to recognize and commemorate the residential school experience. https://www.orangeshirtday.org/about-us.html
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada National Centre for Truth

and Reconciliation

Learn about the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to inform all Canadians about what happened in residential schools and the resulting calls to action. https://nctr.ca/
Navigating Allyship US National Library of Medicine Perspectives from non-Indigenous pharmacy educators on how to navigate allyship. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8132532/
Culturally Competent Healthcare and Healthcare Systems
Resource Name Organization Description Webpage
COVID-19 Vaccine Implementation Toolkit Indigenous Primary Health Care Council Toolkit to assist in planning COVID-19 immunization clinics in Indigenous communities. Includes resources on addressing vaccine hesitancy and on engaging with Indigenous communities. https://iphcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Gashkiwindoon_Toolkit.pdf
Cultural Safety and Humility First Nations Health Authority Resources and webinars to support cultural safety and humility among healthcare professionals and healthcare systems. https://www.fnha.ca/wellness/wellness-and-the-first-nations-health-authority/cultural-safety-and-humility
Guidance for Creating Safer Environments for Indigenous Peoples Toolkit Indigenous Primary Health Care Council Toolkit to support organizations on their journey towards cultural safety. https://iphcc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/NE_IIKAANIGAANA_TOOLKIT.pdf
Indigenous Relationship and Cultural Safety Courses Cancer Care Ontario Thirteen free courses providing knowledge about the history and cultural of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people and communities to help healthcare professionals provide culturally appropriate, person-centered care. https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/resources-first-nations-inuit-metis/first-nations-inuit-metis-courses
National Indigenous Cultural Safety Learning Series Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) Indigenous Health The Learning Series is focused on exploring anti-Indigenous racism, discrimination and cultural safety and identifying how each informs our systems, why they persist, and how we can address them. https://www.icscollaborative.com/