On September 25, the Department of Family Medicine鈥檚 Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee hosted a Smudging Ceremony in its Indigenous Space, in recognition of Canada鈥檚 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.
鈥淭his 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,鈥� 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.
Photo:听Members of the Department of Family Medicine participating in the smudging ceremony.
The ceremony was led by Alex McComber, Bear Clan, Kanien鈥檏eh谩:ka (Mohawk) Nation and Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine. Professor McComber offered words of welcome to the participants and thanksgiving to the natural world. He invited participants to reflect on the pain of the past while renewing a collective vision of healing and reconciliation. He also spoke of relational accountability, the importance of listening to Indigenous voices and the power of ceremony to root institutional commitments in respect, humility and reciprocity.
In his remarks, Professor McComber traced the path from acknowledgment to action, from recognizing the injustices faced by Indigenous peoples in health care, to implementing structural change that dismantles those barriers. His leadership, both as a knowledge keeper and scholar, exemplifies the Department鈥檚 ongoing commitment to integrating Indigenous ways of knowing into its teaching, research and clinical practice.
Photo : a table including sage, candles and a bowl set up by Professor McComber.
Advancing Joyce鈥檚 Principle
In 2023, the Department of Family Medicine formally adopted Joyce鈥檚 Principle, a framework that calls for equitable access to health and social services for Indigenous peoples, free from discrimination. This adoption represents more than a symbolic gesture, it is a structural commitment to rethinking curriculum, hiring practices and partnerships to ensure that Indigenous voices are not peripheral but central to departmental life.
While meaningful progress has been made, both Professor McComber and departmental leadership recognize that the journey is far from complete. The integration of Joyce鈥檚 Principle into the medical curriculum continues to evolve and efforts are underway to deepen accountability and evaluation mechanisms beyond awareness training. As McComber emphasized, 鈥淎doption is not an end point, but a lived, ongoing process.鈥�
The Role of the EDI Committee
The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee, which operates within the Department鈥檚 Graduate Programs, is dedicated to cultivating a culture of respect, belonging, and inclusive excellence. Composed of faculty, staff, and learners, the committee works collaboratively to identify barriers, advance equity-driven initiatives and amplify underrepresented voices across the Department鈥檚 academic, clinical, and research spheres. Through ongoing reflection, education, and advocacy, the EDI Committee helps ensure that the Department of Family Medicine remains a welcoming environment, one where diverse perspectives are valued, and every individual has the opportunity to thrive.
听
For more events happening at the department of Family Medicine, please visit /familymed/events
听
听
听
