Episode 9: Indigenous Women in Canada Accessing Services for Substance Use

Adigo Angela Achoba-Omajali, (she/her) originates from the Ibaji tribe in Kogi state of central Nigeria, situating her as a Black Nigerian-Canadian Nurse practicing in BC. Angela earned her BScN and MN degrees from Thompson Rivers University (TRU) in Kamloops, BC where her graduate work focused on what we know about the experinece of Indigenous women accessing the Canadian healthcare system for issues related to substance use and mental health.  Angela has been working as a Registered Nurse for about 10 years, the past 5 years  as part of the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program. This unique grassroots program provide services to clients living with complex mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Most recently, Angela has been temporarily seconded to a position as Steward-at-Large with the British Columbia Nurses Union (BCNU). Angela’s passion continues to be at the point of engaging in research that addresses Anti-Black and Indigenous-specific racism in the healthcare system. Her lifelong committment to allyship positions her as uniquely qualified to advocate for anti-racism in BCand take action against Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination on multiple levels within the health care system.