Transcript Aboriginal Initiative - University of Saskatchewan

Aboriginal Initiative
College of Medicine,
University of Saskatchewan
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Aboriginal Initiative
“The primary objective is to achieve a student body…
representative of the changing demographic… with
respect to the rising Aboriginal population”
 Since its establishment the C of M has graduated 17
physicians of Aboriginal ancestry, with 2 enrolled since
1997. The School of Physical Therapy has enrolled 3
since 2000.
 To reflect current demographics and meet the College’s
social contract, 10 of 60 students admitted each year
should be of Aboriginal ancestry.

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Why strive for equity?
current Aboriginal population 12 –
15% with estimated 2020 population of >25%
 Service: disproportionate users of health care
resources due to generally low socioeconomic
status and other health determinants
 Social Accountability: Aboriginal peoples are the
most marginalized group in our society, both
regionally and nationally
 Demographic:
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Why strive for equity?
 Accreditation:
“existing policies are insufficient to
address the college’s implied social contract and
expectations of the rapidly growing Aboriginal
population of the province” (CACMS/LCME April
2002).
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U of S “Framework for Planning”
 “At
the University of Saskatchewan, we must
dedicate ourselves to making available to all
Aboriginal peoples the full range of our programs,
and we must adopt strategies that will improve
their ability to succeed”
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University of Saskatchewan
Responding to the Needs of
Aboriginal Peoples:
A Conceptual Framework
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Aboriginal Conceptual Framework
 Academic
Programs: The U of S degree and
certificate programs should be distinguished by
their breadth and by the inclusion of Aboriginal
knowledge in the curriculum.
 Student Affairs: The U of S should aim for national
leadership in innovative programs and services
designed to recruit and retain Aboriginal students.
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Aboriginal Conceptual Framework
 Research:
The U of S will become a national
centre of excellence in research directly related to
Aboriginal peoples.
 Community Outreach: The U of S should be more
visible, engaged and knowledgeable about
community issues. It should participate in locallybased research projects that are immediately
relevant to Aboriginal communities.
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Aboriginal Conceptual Framework
 Cultural
Programs: Faculty, students and staff at
the U of S should be sensitive to and
knowledgeable about the history and culture of
Aboriginal people. Opportunities to understand
and celebrate Aboriginal language and culture both
on campus and in the Aboriginal community
should be available.
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Aboriginal Conceptual Framework
 Coordination: The
U of S should significantly
enhance integration of its programs and services
and develop effective working partnerships with
the Aboriginal community.
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University Initiatives
Establishment of Aboriginal Students’ Centre. Director
Kathleen Makela. Funds secured for construction with
project currently in the design and consultation stage.
 Appointment of George Lafond, Special Advisor (2002).
 Integrated planning process with Ken Coates, creation and
ratification of “Forging New Relationships: The
Foundational Document on Aboriginal Initiatives at the
University of Saskatchewan” (2003).

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University Initiatives
Human Resources
 Candace
Wasacase-Lafferty appointed
 Aboriginal Cross-Cultural facilitated workshops:
70 – 80 university employees per year, 40%
CUPE, 40% ASPA, 20% Faculty. Mix of historical
and contemporary themes, with a focus on
employment issues.
 Piloting of on-line format
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SMAR(3)T: Science and Math for
Aboriginal Students: Recruitment,
Retention, Research, and Transition
David Cowan, Arts & Science, with support from
Agriculture, Medicine, Engineering and Extension
 Proposed On-campus unit, administered jointly by Arts &
Science and Extension , with both university and
community initiatives from “K to PhD”: 1) K – 12,
2) Transition Off and 3) On-Campus, 4) Academic
Support, 5) Graduate Studies & Research, 6) Employment.
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SMAR(3)T
 Consultations
with FSIN, FNUC, SIIT, Northern
Labour Board.
 Advocacy for the extension of TEPS programs to
the secondary level, on-campus and extension
support of Aboriginal math and science teachers
and an “Aboriginal” science curriculum.
 Continued consultation and communication with
partnered Colleges.
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Arts & Sciences Initiatives
 Arts
and Science Aboriginal Coordinator, Charlotte
Ross
 Aboriginal First Year Experience Program (2003).
Coordinator Jamie Fiddler. Provides tutor support
& Aboriginal content to aid transition and
retention. (Current attrition 44%, vs. norm of
25%)
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Arts and Sciences Initiatives
 Super
Saturdays with Extension Division
 Muskoday Program for Grade XII exposure: Lee
Wilson
 FSIN mobile Summer Science Camp
 Aboriginal Tutoring Program
 2003 enrollment: A&S 540 (BSc 56), Engineering
54, Graduate Studies 22
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C of M Aboriginal Initiative: Goals
 Increase Aboriginal
 Recruit Aboriginal
 Create
medical student enrollment
faculty
a receptive environment for both
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C of M Aboriginal Initiative:
Increased Enrollment
 Pre-university
primary and secondary school
initiatives to promote science training and a career
in the Health Sciences
 Action: Support of and coordination with Native
Access Program to Nursing, Promotion of
Medicine at career fairs, Aboriginal conferences
and in communities, SPT “Super Saturday”
involvement, (Aboriginal) role modeling
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C of M Pre-Med Initiatives
SMAR(3)T
 Tracking and encouraging Aboriginal students to consider
the Health Sciences.
 Pre-med Awards of $2,500: 3 1st year and 3 2nd year
(2003)
 Aboriginal Exposure (Dr. Sibley): one day clinical
experiences in lieu of prior 2 week mentorship's.
 MCAT support (tutoring & library reference centre)
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C of M Pre-Med Initiatives
 Aboriginal Access
Program
 Health Sciences Deans’ Committee (Kinesiology,
Medicine,Nursing, Physical Therapy,
Pharmacology & Nutrition, Physical Therapy)
Working Group on Aboriginal Health:
coordination in realms of recruitment, retention,
laddering, faculty and curricular development and
community consultation.
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C of M Undergrad Initiatives
 Thematic
review of curriculum
 Co-presentation on Aboriginal Population Health
by James Irvine and Don Caisse
 Lifecycles and Humanities Wanuskewin pilot:
Historical Context and Treaty, Traditional Healing
Practices and Protocols, Beliefs and Ceremonies
 Aboriginal Health Issues: Lucy Nickel
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C of M Undergrad Initiatives
 Over
subscribed northern Community Experience
 NMS Clinical Clerkship rotations
 Environmental scan: ACMC, NAHO, U of C
(Lynden Crowshoe), U of A.
 Dean’s consultations with Aboriginal medical
students
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C of M Post-Grad Initiatives
 Recruitment
to Family Medicine, Internal
Medicine and CH&E
 Aboriginal Health community exposure: Regina
Four Directions, Saskatoon relocation, Prince
Albert Rural, NMS Ile a la Crosse and La Ronge
 Clinical Part-time Aboriginal Faculty: Lucy
Nickel, Janet Tootoosis
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C of Medicine Faculty Development
 Recruitment
initiatives: Family Medicine, CH&E,
Psychiatry
 Aboriginal Health Speakers’ Series: FSIN ViceChief Lawrence Joseph, Dr. Clifford Traszer (cosponsored College of Law Bilson Lecturer), Dr.
Mehl-Medrona, Dr. Malcolm King
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C of M Research Initiatives
 CH&E
recruitment of Dr. Janet Smiley, MPH MD
CCFP as Director, Indigenous Peoples’ Health
Research Centre
 Increasing number of collaborative research
endeavors
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Community Consultations
 Health
Sciences Deans’ Working Group Elders’
Consultation: recommended inclusion of Elders in
initiative development, inclusion of experiential
and Indigenous Knowledge curricula, and an
expansion of the College’s relationship with the
Elders and Aboriginal community.
 Dean’s ongoing community and RHA
consultations
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Recommendations
 Appointment
of a Director of Aboriginal Affairs
with responsibilities in the domains of Aboriginal
student recruitment and support, post-graduate
retention, curricular development, faculty and
research support, and Health Sciences,university,
and community liaison.
 Appointment and utilization of an Elder or Elders,
with appropriate recognition, in development of
the College’s Aboriginal initiatives.
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Recommendations
 Further
review of the undergraduate curriculum
with iterative learning opportunities from the
cognitive to the experiential, including Indigenous
Knowledge.
 Invitation of Prof. W. Ermine, FNUC, to speak on
Ethical Space as a construct for future
collaboration and development. An appointment
with ongoing consultation should be explored.
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Recommendations
Require all C of M Aboriginal specific teaching, research
or service initiatives to include meaningful Aboriginal
consultation and collaboration.
 Meet or exceed the standards established in the
university’s Conceptual Framework. Develop and
promote legitimate, inclusive Aboriginal Health education
to the level that the College of Medicine becomes a
national and international leader in this domain.
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