Centre for Clinical Ethics Conference 2017

Indigenous Perspectives: Affirming an ethic of care by responding wholistically to healthcare

Responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s “Calls to Action,” the 2017 Centre for Clinical Ethics conference will explore ethical issues related to Indigenous healthcare needs through the lens of an Indigenous wholistic worldview. Our speakers work in a variety of Indigenous contexts. Addressing concrete issues directly related to front-line healthcare workers, they will explore the physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual dimensions of health. Speakers include:

• Kathleen Absolon, BA, MSW, PhD, Anishinaabe kwe from Flying Post First Nation, who teaches holistic healing practices and Indigenous holistic thought at Wilfrid Laurier University.
• Teyohate Brant, a young Mohawk woman from the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, who has experienced healthcare issues first hand as a patient over many years.
• Banakonda Kennedy-Kish Bell, Elder-in-Residence with the Faculty of Social Work, Aboriginal Field of Study at Wilfrid Laurier University, is an Indigenous cultural advisor and Traditional Practitioner.
• Hilton King, BSW, MSW, Anishinaabe from Wasauksing First Nation, works in Native mental health, addictions, justice and child welfare.
• Janet Smylie, MD, FCFP, MPH, is a family physician and public health researcher.  She is a research scientist at St. Michael’s Hospital and an international leader in the field of Indigenous health.