Why Does Indigenous Peoples Day Matter?

Exploring the Indigenous Peoples Experience at Fort Edmonton Park with my family

It’s important for all Canadians—and especially those of us seeking to serve the public in elected roles—to have a meaningful appreciation for National Indigenous Peoples Day. That said, there are many who speak with far more authority, lived experience, and connection to Indigenous communities than I do. I don’t want to dilute the significance of this day by simply echoing others. Instead, I encourage you to engage directly: read the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, or explore resources like 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act (please support your local bookstore over mass retailers). I also urge you to learn more about Indigenous homelessness, a devastating and ongoing consequence of colonial systems.

What I can offer today is a reflection on how my own understanding has evolved—and continues to evolve—in my work serving Indigenous Peoples.

For many years of my 20-year career in health and social services, Truth and Reconciliation simply wasn’t a conversation. I was part of institutions that routinely underserved Indigenous people, often without recognizing it. I remember, as a pharmacist, feeling frustrated with the complex billing system through what was then called the Department of Indian Affairs. It was difficult to get the codes right through Blue Cross, and my visible frustration may have deepened the stigma experienced by those I was supposed to help. Later in my career, I worked in medical clinics where “one-issue, one-visit” signs became the norm—signs that disregarded the complex and often interrelated challenges Indigenous patients were navigating. I was uncomfortable, but I didn’t speak up. We carried on.

That began to change at The Alex Community Health Centre, where I stepped into my first senior leadership role in 2017. The values and commitment I encountered there deeply shaped me. We invested in team-based care, welcoming spaces, and holistic supports like a Community Food Centre. I came to understand health not just as medical intervention, but as something grounded in relationships, community, and dignity—an Indigenous worldview I had previously overlooked. I also saw the stark disparities Indigenous people faced across every metric: homelessness, poverty, isolation, and systemic exclusion. But more importantly, I saw how community-led, culturally grounded approaches could begin to address them.

That same ethos followed me to Radius Community Health & Healing (formerly Boyle McCauley Health Centre). With innovative teams led by physicians, nurse practitioners, and LPNs, Radius delivered exceptional, person-centered care to some of the city’s most complex clients—a disproportionate number of whom were Indigenous. Quietly but powerfully, Radius sets a standard for quality of care that extended beyond medical charts and into a commitment to healing.

At Homeward Trust Edmonton, the bar was raised again. Homelessness is arguably Edmonton’s most complex social challenge, touching everything from health care and housing to justice and mental health systems. I’ll speak more about that another time—but today, I want to acknowledge that Indigenous people remain vastly overrepresented among those experiencing homelessness. As of the October 10, 2024 Point-in-Time Count, 50.3% of all those surveyed identified as Indigenous, though Indigenous Peoples represent only 6.2% of Edmonton’s population.

Homeward Trust has long recognized this, embedding accountability into its governance: no fewer than four of nine board members must be Indigenous, and the Indigenous Advisory Council provides meaningful input into program development and procurement. This isn’t just engagement—it’s what’s internally referred to as “permission to work,” granted by community. I was also privileged to work alongside organizations like Native Counselling Services of Alberta, Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, and NiGiNan Housing Ventures, all of whom serve with deep cultural knowledge, strength, and leadership. Their work has made a lasting impact—and has made me a better ally.

As your City Councillor, all of these experiences shape how I will approach relationships with Indigenous Peoples and communities. I am not an expert. What I owe is a continued commitment to uplift lived and living experience, respect traditional teachings and ceremony, and work in a good way. I will continue to practice Two-Eyed Seeing—an approach that integrates both Western and Indigenous worldviews—and to remain accountable for the systems I help shape.

I remain committed to showing up with humility, action, and accountability—now and always.