The Path to Reconciliation

Each year, September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours survivors of the residential school system, those who did not return, and their families and communities. It honours a tragic legacy of colonization that we are all a part of today. PHA Canada recognizes the importance of truth and reconciliation to achieving our goals and improving the lives of everyone in Canada affected by pulmonary hypertension. None of us can address the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action on our own. However, we firmly believe that reconciliation is our responsibility and that our actions will complement those of others and create meaningful change.

Starting in 2021, the PHA Canada staff team committed to learning more about the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and how we advance the cause of reconciliation. We dedicated a series of team meetings to reading the 94 Calls to Action and discussing how they impact our work and the people we serve. Stemming from these discussions, we started incorporating land acknowledgements of traditional territories into major events and sought opportunities to strengthen our relationships with Indigenous patients and families. 

This year, PHA Canada received a grant through the Global Genes Health Equity in RARE Impact Grant Program to begin developing an Indigenous Outreach Strategy. An Indigenous Peer Facilitator was hired to conduct research and provide recommendations to PHA Canada on better engaging Indigenous families, communities, and health systems. The recommendations will inform the development of an outreach strategy grounded in the spirit of reconciliation and meaningful engagement, conducted in a culturally respectful way.  

A key element of this project was a focus group held in June with Indigenous PH patients and family members during the National PH Community Conference. The Indigenous Peer Facilitator led the private consultation meeting to hear their stories and learn from their unique journeys with PH. The project also allowed PHA Canada to support these families to participate in the community conference, significantly increasing Indigenous representation at the event.  

Currently, the staff team is working together through the online program Home on Native Land, a self-guided course about Indigenous justice in Canada. We seek to bear witness to and better understand our colonial history and its impacts. In doing so, we hope PHA Canada will be a more culturally safe, welcoming, and trusted resource for Indigenous people living with PH. 

If you are an Indigenous person in Canada affected by PH and would like to get involved in our Indigenous Outreach Project, please get in touch with Darren Fisher at dfisher@phacanada.ca.

--

Mental Health Supports

Former residential school students can call 1-866-925-4419 for emotional crisis referral services and information on other health supports from the Government of Canada. 

Indigenous peoples across Canada can also go to The Hope for Wellness Help Line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for counselling and crisis intervention. Call the toll-free Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 or connect to the online chat using Google Chrome.