CPSolvers: Anti-Racism in Medicine Series
Episode 12: Our Land is Our Health: Addressing Anti-Indigenous Racism in Medicine
Show Notes by LaShyra Nolen
November 23rd, 2021
Summary: This episode is about the ways we can combat anti-Indigenous sentiments and actions in our efforts to promote anti-racism in medicine and public health. This discussion is hosted by our new team members Alec Calac and Victor Lopez-Carmen, as they interview Dr. Tom Sequist, member of the Taos Pueblo Tribe and Chief Patient Experience and Equity Officer at Mass General Brigham, and Dr. Sophie Neuner, proud member of the Karuk Tribe, and a Research Associate at the Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health. Together, these two phenomenal guests help us understand the structural and individual challenges of Indigenous peoples in academic medicine, public health, and beyond.
Episode Learning Objectives:
After listening to this episode learners will be able to…
Credits
Time Stamps
00:00 Introduction
05:25 What do I call you?
10:37 “Blood quantum” and the burden of proof
18:05 Challenges of Indigenous Peoples in medical spaces
24:50 COVID-19 and climate change’s impact on Indigenous Peoples
30:27 Racism in academia and creating safe spaces
41:22 “Data genocide”
50:11 What can listeners do going forward?
62:10 Key takeaways
Episode Takeaways:
From the street names of the cities in which we live to the nature that surrounds us, Dr. Sequist reminds us of the importance of taking the time to learn about how Indigenous Peoples have influenced and continue to influence every aspect of our lives. He encourages us to learn about the original inhabitants of lands on which we reside and to do the work to learn about the ongoing contributions from tribes around us. This is especially important when we consider the lasting role colonialism, genocide, and racism has played in attempted erasure of these communities and their culture.
Victor reminds us that we can hold two truths at the same time. Dr. Sequist also encourages us to, in addition to learning about the rich cultural traditions and invaluable contributions of Indigenous Peoples, to also acknowledge the historical and ongoing oppression these communities face. Indigenous Peoples continue to suffer disproportionately from health inequities, mental illness, poverty, climate change and police brutality, all of which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. We must recognize these struggles were born out of settler colonialism and learn this history while actively working to undo present harms.
Dr. Neuner reminds us of the importance of centering Indigenous Peoples in our research and data because this information helps drive policy and health initiatives that can address barriers to health in the community.
Pearls
Common Terms Used to Refer to Indigenous Peoples
The Burden of Proof
COVID-19 and Indigenous Peoples
Data Genocide
Dr. Neuner reminds us about the importance of data for advocacy for Indigenous communities, especially during COVID-19. More background here from the Urban Indian Health Institute.
“Without data you can’t change anything.”
Some of the challenges with data collection discussed were:
Ways to Help Uplift Indigenous Peoples in Academia
Our guests share some ways we can help support and uplift Indigenous peoples:
Creating Supportive Spaces
Our guests remind us of the importance of thinking beyond addressing the “pipeline” to increase representation of Indigenous Peoples in medicine, but also emphasize the importance of creating safe spaces for these students to thrive.
References
Disclosures
The hosts and guests report no relevant financial disclosures.
Citation
Sequist T, Neuner S, Calac A, Lopez-Carmen V, Tsai J, Krishnamurthy S, Ogunwole M, Fields NF, Nolen L, Onuoha C, Watkins A, Williams J, Paul D, Essien UR, Khazanchi R. “Episode 12: Our Land is Our Health: Addressing Anti-Indigenous Racism in Medicine.” The Clinical Problem Solvers Podcast. https://clinicalproblemsolving.com/episodes. November 23, 2021.
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