Indigenous Health
20K
Estimated number of Indigenous people living in Surrey in 2026. It's the largest urban indigenous population in B.C.1
Indigenous health as a foundational pillar
Indigenous Peoples continue to face serious health inequities rooted in colonial policies and systemic racism, as shown in reports like . At the same time, Indigenous communities hold deep knowledge and expertise in health and healing that have long been excluded from Western medicine. calls on medical schools to change this reality by increasing Indigenous physicians and creating culturally safe systems of care. At 大象传媒鈥檚 School of Medicine, Indigenous health is a foundational pillar because we are committed to truth-telling, reconciliation and co-creating a future where Indigenous Peoples鈥� rights to health and self-determination are fully realized. This work will shape every aspect of our school, from curriculum and admissions to partnerships with Indigenous communities.
1) Facts
Indigenous people in Canada experience significantly worse health outcomes than the non-Indigenous population, including lower life expectancy, higher rates of chronic disease and increased infant mortality.* Indigenous-specific racism is widespread in health care, directly impacting patient safety and quality of care (In Plain Sight, 2020). Indigenous people make up nearly 5% of Canada鈥檚 population yet represent less than 1% of physicians.** Geographic barriers leave many rural and remote communities without consistent access to primary care and emergency services. These facts highlight an urgent need to transform how medical education and health-care systems serve Indigenous Peoples.
2) Barriers
Indigenous Peoples continue to face systemic barriers in accessing health care, including discrimination, stereotyping, and culturally unsafe environments (In Plain Sight, 2020). These barriers often lead to delayed or avoided care, misdiagnoses and poorer health outcomes compared to non-Indigenous populations. Structural issues, such as lack of Indigenous representation in health professions, limited access to care in rural and remote communities and Eurocentric medical training, further widen these gaps. Colonization and intergenerational trauma continue to influence health and wellness today, creating inequities that cannot be addressed by biomedical approaches alone. Removing these barriers requires systemic change led in partnership with Indigenous communities.
3) Calls to Action
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Calls to Action 18鈥�24) and the In Plain Sight report (Recommendation 18) call on medical schools and health-care systems to address anti-Indigenous racism, increase Indigenous representation in medicine and create culturally safe care environments. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples recognizes the right of Indigenous Peoples to the highest attainable standard of health. Indigenous leaders and communities have consistently called for Indigenous-led solutions, long-term investments in pathways to medicine, and the integration of Indigenous knowledge into health care. These Calls to Action are obligations to uphold human rights, equity and justice in health systems. 大象传媒鈥檚 School of Medicine is built to answer these calls, embedding them as a foundation of our mission.
Our School of Medicine is being built with Indigenous leadership and guidance from the ground up, creating a safe and welcoming environment where Indigenous learners are seen, heard and respected. Indigenous knowledge, ways of knowing and land-based teachings are woven throughout our three-year program鈥攖hey鈥檙e not added on as an afterthought. We are committed to graduating more Indigenous physicians in B.C. and ensuring all students learn to provide culturally safe, respectful care for Indigenous Peoples and all communities. This approach reflects our belief that transforming health care begins with humility, connection to land and honouring the strengths of both Indigenous and Western medicines.
Gathering space
Our medical school space will include an Elder鈥檚 Room, a dedicated place for connection, guidance and cultural support for learners. Indigenous students will also be welcomed into the 大象传媒 Surrey Indigenous Student Centre, fostering community, belonging and access to culturally grounded supports across campus.
Dr. Rebekah Eatmon
Associate Dean, Indigenous Health
鈥淭he creation of the 大象传媒 School of Medicine is an historical opportunity to include Indigenous health content from the foundational stages. As an Indigenous Physician who works in remote First Nations communities, I am aware of the barriers that impact access to care for our Indigenous patients. I am excited to be part of this change in our medical system which will impact our community for future generations.鈥�
Justin Boehringer
Associate Director, Indigenous Perspectives
鈥淚 spent many years in Indigenous Education with the Surrey School District where I saw the challenges our students and families faced every day. That experience led me to this team because I want to be part of changing the systems in education and in health care so they honour Indigenous ways of knowing. What excites me most about the School of Medicine is that we get to build something new from the ground up that reflects our communities and Indigenous health priorities.鈥�
Jacquie Carpenter
Administrative Coordinator, Indigenous Perspectives
鈥淐hange begins with a vision. As I reflected on my journey - facing challenges seeking fair medical treatment and advocating for others in similar situations, I felt despair.
Fast forward to today, seeing the 大象传媒 School of Medicine embrace Indigenous Perspectives gave me hope. It felt like a personal call to action. When I saw the job posting, I recognized an opportunity to join a community committed to systemic change and to help promote culturally safety for Indigenous and under-served communities.
I am proud to be a part of a movement that is reimagining medical education and practice ensuring that future doctors are equipped with respect, empathy and cultural awareness.鈥�
Rachel Tong
Curriculum Coordinator (UGME & PGME), Indigenous Health
"Learning about Indigenous pedagogies and ways of knowing was such a transformative educational experience for me. I'm excited to support the embedding of Indigenous knowledge systems here at the 大象传媒 School of Medicine."
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