On September 25, the Department of Family Medicine’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee hosted a Smudging Ceremony in its Indigenous Space, in recognition of Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The gathering offered a moment of reflection, cultural connection and shared commitment to addressing systemic inequities in health care.
“This event was inspired by a desire to invite our community to gather and reflect on the suffering endured by Indigenous Peoples, and to encourage a shift from words to action towards collectively addressing related contemporary consequences,” shared Khandideh Williams (Committee Co-Founder and Vice-Chair) on behalf of the EDI Committee. It also served as a solemn prelude to the fifth anniversary of the passing of Joyce Echaquan, on September 28, 2020, a tragedy that continues to galvanize efforts toward Indigenous health justice across the country.
