Indigenous Health Conference 2024

We welcome you to the largest national Indigenous health meeting in Canada. This interdisciplinary conference will be hybrid (online and in-person) in 2024 and held at the beautiful Fort Garry Campus of the University of Manitoba, May 24-26, 2024

History of IHC

The inaugural Indigenous Health Conference (IHC) was founded in 2014 by Dr. Anna Banerji with a dedicated conference committee from First Nations, Métis and Inuit with backgrounds or with extensive experience working with Indigenous populations coming from medicine, nursing, allied health backgrounds or with lived experience. The goal of this inter-disciplinary conference is to enhance the number and increase the cultural safety of health care providers who currently work with or wish to work with Indigenous populations in the future. The ultimate goal would be to improve the health outcomes and access for Indigenous peoples across Canada.
The strength of IHC is that we do not hesitate to discuss the historical truths and contemporary harsh realities that many Indigenous people face. In fact, in 2014, before the Truth and Reconciliation (TRC) Commission report, the conference participants have made a declaration that we believe that the Canadian Government committed genocide against Indigneous peoples.

IHC 2024

As COVID-19 ravished all corners of the Earth, we watched the disproportionate impact on remote Indigenous communities. At the same time Indigenous leadership rose to the occasion in their response to COVID-19, and we witnessed communities working together to find Indigenous-led solutions. We will discuss the hardship of COVID-19 on many Indigenous communities and celebrate their courage and success.

This year we have outstanding speakers some of them include: Dr. Cindy Blackstock and her determination for equity for children in the fostercare system. Dr. Simon Brascoupe, a former CEO of National Aboriginal Health Commission will enlighten us on land-based healing. Dr. Barry Lavallee, CEO of Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin Inc, will discuss racism and its impact on Indigenous Health. We will discuss topics which range from suicide prevention, food security, cancer detection, traditional healing, research and education and a whole lot more.

Our panels include:

Dr. Barry Lavallee leading a panel discussion on the success of Indigenous-led response for COVID-19. Marilee Nowgesic, CEO of Canadian Indigenous Nurses Association will lead a panel on Indigenous nursing, while Ellen Blais of Director, Indigenous Midwifery, Association of Ontario midwives will lead a panel discussion on bringing midwifery back to the communities.

Submit your work with our call for abstracts!

The conference primarily is through the voices of Indigenous peoples. Through the call for abstracts, we will profile the work of our community partners who are involved in Indigenous health throughout Canada who can present their work through workshops, oral abstracts and posters.

Be part of the job fair!

A job fair will connect health providers with recruiters promoting employment opportunities in northern and underserved communities across Canada. There are opportunities for health care providers across many disciplines, such as physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, dieticians, social workers and allied health practitioners.
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