Athabasca University is launching three new courses including a free, massive online open course (MOOC) to tackle anti-Indigenous racism in health care. The courses teach about the roots of racism and discrimination Indigenous people experience in accessing care, and the role of advocacy and allyship in addressing these issues.
The courses provide essential knowledge for health-care professionals, but also for anyone who wants to understand the struggles of Indigenous communities and learn how to recognize and confront systemic racism.
AU developed the courses with financial support from Health Canada and in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's 94 Calls to Action. A team led by Indigenous leaders and health professionals worked together to create the course content.
These courses represent an important step forward in the ongoing work of conciliation and improving Indigenous health in Canada.
- Priscilla Campeau Associate vice-president, Indigenous conciliation
"Our goal is to not only educate but to empower individuals to take meaningful action in creating more inclusive and equitable health-care systems," Campeau added. "These courses are a direct response to the urgent need for Indigenous-led development of cultural safety training and learning materials."
MOOC provides foundational knowledge about racism in health care
In the Indigenous Health and Wellness, Advocacy, and Allyship MOOC, students can learn about systemic anti-Indigenous racism and discrimination and about strategies for becoming an authentic Indigenous ally.
Topics range from exploring what it means to be Indigenous, to specific Calls to Action focused on health care, to bias, to allyship.
The free MOOC can be completed in about three hours and provides a thorough introduction to Indigenous health, wellness, advocacy, and allyship.
"By offering this course for free and making it widely available, we are ensuring that anyone, anywhere, can engage with important topics related to Indigenous health, advocacy, and wellness," said Campeau.
Certificate in Indigenous health and allyship
Two additional courses were created to give health professionals and advocates in related fields such as social work enhanced knowledge of anti-Indigenous racism and root causes, and teachings to empower students to advocate for health equity.
Both courses can be combined to earn the Indigenous Health and Wellness, Advocacy, and Allyship Certificate.
In these paid courses, students will deepen their understanding of how anti-Indigenous racism and discrimination shows up in everyday life, at work, and in health systems. Students will also learn practical skills to challenge racism within health-care settings to advocate for better health outcomes for Indigenous Peoples.
Course content features interactive materials selected from a variety of Canadian and Indigenous sources. This includes videos, toolkits, journal articles, podcasts, and more.
Indigenous-led development and content
The courses and certificate were a collaboration between the Faculty of Health Disciplines and PowerED by Athabasca University, AU's continuing education unit.
The process began with the creation of the Wahkohtowin Collective a group of Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, students, and health professionals, along with AU faculty and staff who worked collaboratively to ensure the development of the courses and the course content itself reflected Indigenous ways of being, knowing, and doing.
Indigenous Health and Wellness, Advocacy, and Allyship Certificate
For more information about the courses and to register, visit PowerED by AU.
