NationTalk: Thorold, ON – The Indigenous Primary Health Care Council (IPHCC) and the Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle (IDHC) are honoured to announce the signing of a strategic new Relationship Agreement. This Agreement realizes a culturally sensitive partnership ensuring continued, collaborative efforts to support Indigenous diabetes wellness.
A Relationship Agreement from an Indigenous Perspective
IPHCC and IDHC have joined together in the spirit of Indigenous health resurgence, reconciliation, and capacity building. This Relationship Agreement is created in the context of a continuing journey of truth telling about the history of Indigenous Peoples and is recognized as a step towards healing and reconciliation. This Relationship Agreement recognizes the importance of culture-as-healing and embraces a wholistic approach to health care— embracing not only the physical—but also the emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of wellness embodied within Indigenous ways of knowing and being.
The Work Ahead
IPHCC and IDHC have united with a commitment to transform Indigenous health pathways and to return Indigenous health to Indigenous hands. This relationship is rooted in culturally safe, mutually beneficial practices and will identify priority areas to act as a collective voice for knowledge transfer and be an environmental catalyst for change.
Some of the Principles of the Relationship Agreement:
| • | Common Vision | • | Transformation |
| • | Cultural Safety | • | Knowledge Sharing |
| • | Capacity Building | • | Collective Voice |
Both IPHCC and IDHC deeply value the strength of their Agreement and commit to placing Indigenous culture at the heart of their collaborative journey. They will work together to improve Indigenous health outcomes, remove barriers for clients on their respective health journeys, seek solutions to significant systemic issues and continuously evaluate the work ahead for the purpose of ongoing, positive transformation. The relationship will ensure appropriate representation on specific committees, working groups and government initiatives.
Keeping Clients, Collaborators and Partners Informed
IPHCC and IDHC demonstrate unwavering commitment to fostering a transformative reciprocal relationship that will impact Indigenous health outcomes and pave the way for lasting positive change. A cross-disciplinary team comprised of representatives from both organizations will guide the development of this work. The team plans to meet at least biannually and produce a dedicated newsletter series published to the social media of both organizations.
A gathering took place Tuesday, July 11, 2023 in the Niagara Region. The gathering involved a sunrise ceremony, Indigenous touring, and feasting—which brought together key collaborators for the first time and acted as a celebration of unity.
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About the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council (IPHCC):
The IPHCC is an Indigenous-governed, culture-based, and Indigenous-informed organization with the key mandate to support the advancement and evolution of Indigenous primary health-care services provision and planning throughout Ontario. Membership currently includes 21 Indigenous Primary Health Care Organizations (IPHCOs) located in 28 different locations from across the province that include Aboriginal Health Access Centres (AHACs), Indigenous Community Health Centres (ICHCs), Indigenous Interprofessional Primary Care Teams (IIPCTs), Indigenous Nurse-Practitioner-Led Clinics (INPLCs), and Indigenous Family Health Teams (IFHTs).
About the Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle (IDHC):
The IDHC has more than 25 years of experience in Indigenous diabetes health promotion and capacity building, including client services, knowledge dissemination and training. The IDHC delivers culturally based programs focusing on diabetes education, prevention and management in Indigenous communities across Ontario—serving First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities. Facilitating community capacity building, building upon traditional strengths and supporting community-driven programs that honour traditional strengths and support community-driven programs remain IDHC’s core focus.
For more information, please contact:
Marlon Cole
Director of Communications
Indigenous Primary Health Care Council
communications@iphcc.ca
Yvette Amor
Director of Operations
Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle
operations@idhc.life
| Categories: | Health, Indigenous |
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