Decolonization & Indigenization Action Plan
As a national health network mandated to promote medication appropriateness for all Canadians, the Canadian Medication Appropriateness and Deprescribing Network (CADeN) occupies a privileged position entailing a profound responsibility to contribute to reconciliation. Recognizing the health disparities in Indigenous communities and the scarcity of research and resources concerning safe and appropriate medication use co-created with and for Indigenous Peoples, we sought to map out how we can contribute to creating change.
Indigenization Working Group members Larry Leung and Amber Ruben presenting CADeN's Decolonization & Indigenization Action Plan at the Choosing Wisely Canada National Meeting 2024
This report represents a significant step in CADeN’s commitment to reconciliation, encompassing the vision, guiding principles, and a 5-year action plan for decolonizing and Indigenizing the network. Building respectful relationships with Indigenous communities across the country is at the heart of this plan.
While we acknowledge that this recommended action plan may evolve as we continue to learn and build relationships, our intention is to make it our road map for the next five years. CADeN is committed to promoting safe and appropriate medication use by advocating for culturally safe care that supports a holistic approach to health in Indigenous communities—in actions guided by the needs and priorities of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.
To guide our work, ensuring it is respectful, relevant, and safe, in 2023 CADeN established a dedicated Indigenization Working Group. This group collaborated with CADeN staff and leadership over several months to determine concrete actions the network could take to contribute to reconciliation. These recommendations are outlined in the report, Decolonizing and Indigenizing Medication Appropriateness in Canada: Recommendations for a Network Action Plan, published in March 2024.
Are you interested in collaborating with us to decolonize and Indigenize medication appropriateness in Canada? Get in touch!