Established by the President of the Royal Society of Canada in April 2020, the RSC Task Force on COVID-19 was mandated to provide evidence-informed perspectives on major societal challenges in response to and recovery from COVID-19. 

The Task Force established a series of Working Groups to rapidly develop resources with the objective of supporting policy makers with evidence to inform their decisions. 

Full Report

Executive Summary

Overview of COVID-19 and Indigenous Health and Wellness: Our Strength is in our Stories 

This Report, “COVID-19 and Indigenous Health and Wellness: Our Strength is in our Stories” is written as a collection of stories. As Indigenous scholars, practitioners and learners, we offer this writing to support an improved understanding about how COVID-19 is impacting the health and wellness of Indigenous peoples. We do so in a way that emphasizes the relational and holistic nature of Indigenous health and wellness; Indigenous health and wellness reflects an interrelationship between humans and the natural world, and this inter-relatedness extends to mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual domains. Thus, our relationships are key to survival, strength, and ultimately, living well.

Authors of the Report

Chantelle Richmond, PhD (Biigtigong Nishnaabeg), Canada Research Chair (Indigenous Health and Environment) and Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Environment, Western University 

Vanessa Ambtman-Smith, PhD Candidate (Niizho Binesiik; Nêhiyaw-Métis; Thunderbird Clan; Treaty 6), Department of Geography and Environment, Western University 

Carrie Bourassa, PhD (Anishinaabe-Métis), Scientific Director Canadian Institute of Health Research - Institute of Indigenous Peoples Health, and Professor Community Health and Epidemiology, University of Saskatchewan 

Chenoa Cassidy-Matthews, PhD Candidate (Sachigo Lake First Nation), University of British Columbia 

Karine R. Duhamel, PhD (Anishinaabe-Métis), National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls 

Miranda Keewatin, B.ISW (Peepeekisis Cree Nation), Research Assistant, Morning Star Lodge, Community Health & Epidemiology, University of Saskatchewan 

Malcolm King, PhD, FCAHS (Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation), Professor, Community Health and Epidemiology and pewaseskwan – The Indigenous Wellness Research Group, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan 

Alexandra King, MD, FRCPC (Nipissing First Nation), Cameco Chair in Indigenous Health and Wellness, pewaseskwan – The Indigenous Wellness Research Group, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan

Christopher Mushquash, Ph.D., C.Psych. (Pays Plat First Nation), Canada Research Chair (Indigenous Mental Health and Addiction) and Associate Professor, Lakehead University; Psychologist, Dilico Anishinabek Family Care 

Nathan Oakes, MPH(C) (Piapot First Nation), pewaseskwan – The Indigenous Wellness Research Group, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan 

Diane Redsky, Executive Director, Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata 

Lisa Richardson, MD MA FRCPC, Indigenous Health Lead, University of Toronto and Women’s College Hospital 

Robyn Rowe, PhD Candidate (hereditary member of Teme Augama Anishnabai), Research Associate in the School of Rural and Northern Health, Laurentian University An RSC Collection of Stories 4 

Jamie Snook, PhD Candidate (Labradorimiuk), Executive Director, Torngat Wildlife Plants and Fisheries Secretariat 

Jennifer Walker, PhD (Six Nations of the Grand River), Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Health and Associate Professor, Laurentian University

For further information or for media requests, contact Erika Kujawski at ekujawski@rsc-src.ca

 

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