Truth and Reconciliation Action Plan Annual Report 2023-2024

In September 2022, we launched our Truth and Reconciliation Action Plan, which outlines the work we’re undertaking over four years to build our internal capacity and ensure HEC’s policies, processes and ways of working support truth and reconciliation. This is essential for us to continue developing our ability to help shape a future where everyone in Canada has safe and high-quality healthcare.

We’re reporting on our progress through the Truth and Reconciliation Action Plan Annual Report (PDF 26MB) for 2023-2024.

What’s inside

We look back on the second year of implementation of our Action Plan, during which staff, leadership and our Board were provided with ongoing opportunities for learning and self-reflection.

HEC made progress on many of the 24 actions we set out to take. Here are a few highlights:

In our first full year of engagement with the First Nation Elder, Inuk Elder, Métis Elder and Truth and Reconciliation Coach, the Northern Indigenous Health (NIH) team has continued to build and nurture the relationships through monthly meetings. This allowed us to seek guidance in our overarching organizational approach to this work and ensure meaningful engagement with them across HEC’s teams, leadership and programs. The NIH team supports others across the organization to engage with Ka-odàkedjig members at any point in the program life cycle. This provides valuable insights into the design and implementation of HEC programs and provides HEC staff with the opportunity to learn about the protocols, knowledge and gifts that each Elder brings.

We continue to be grateful for our partnerships with the First Nations Health Managers Association, First Peoples Wellness Circle, Thunderbird Partnership Foundation, and the Métis National Council, and our collaborative efforts towards shared priorities.
In 2023-2024, HEC supported ongoing and emerging partnerships with programs focused on leadership development and cultural safety, with the aim to address racism in the healthcare system, help leaders make improvements in their work and retain the health workforce.

In 2023-2024, as part of our Truth and Reconciliation Action Plan, HEC staff, leadership and its Board were provided with ongoing opportunities for learning and self-reflection. One of our highlights was the San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety (ICS) Online Training, offered to all incoming HEC staff and Board members. To date, 86% of HEC staff have completed this training. We continue to support this self-directed online course with four live, virtual group discussions facilitated by Algonquin Knowledge Carrier Monique Manatch and HEC’s Truth and Reconciliation Coach Shannon Dunfield.