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.
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.
