Indigenous health subject guide addresses gap in resources for healthcare staff, physicians and the community

It started as a simple idea. Lana Atkinson, a medical librarian with Covenant Health's Library Services, wanted to create a dedicated resource that would bring together Indigenous health information in one place. At the time, Indigenous health content for the organization existed within a broader public health guide, but it was becoming increasingly clear that a more focused, respectful and intentional approach was needed.

What Lana expected would be a relatively straightforward project soon evolved into something much deeper, becoming not just a professional task but a personal commitment to learning how to be a better ally.

"Originally when I set out, I had this idea that it would be done and dusted within a six-month time period," says Lana. “And it really took a lot longer than that.”

What followed was a journey shaped by collaboration, conversation and relationship building. Working alongside Indigenous partners, library staff and subject matter experts, Lana came to understand that creating a meaningful Indigenous health resource required more than gathering information. It required listening, trust and a willingness to approach the work differently.

"It really challenged my ideas about what it means to engage with our Indigenous partners," says Lana. “There was a period that was really required to build the trust, and it was necessary that I came to every interaction with a humble heart.”

That work has resulted in the Indigenous Health Subject Guide, a publicly accessible collection of resources designed to support learning and culturally safe care.

Recognizing a growing need

Across Covenant Health and the broader healthcare system, conversations around cultural safety, reconciliation and Indigenous health have continued to grow. At the same time, staff, physicians and learners have been searching for resources that are easier to access, more centralized and grounded in Indigenous perspectives and ways of knowing.

"We came to the realization that it really deserved its own guide," says Sharna Polard, manager, library services. “There has been a dramatic increase in the amount of literature being published about Indigenous health and Indigenous issues, and our clientele are asking for these resources more often.”

Developed through a partnership with Acute Care Alberta Library Services and Indigenous partners at Covenant Health and Primary Care Alberta, the Indigenous Health Subject Guide was created to help address that gap. The guide brings together curated resources focused on Indigenous health, wellness, cultural safety, health equity and Indigenous ways of knowing.

Most of the resources in the guide are publicly accessible and include books, videos, reports, academic journals, educational tools and practical healthcare resources for staff, physicians, learners and community members.

Building the guide together

For Amber Ruben, consultant, Indigenous health equity and reconciliation, one of the most meaningful aspects of the project was the care and intentionality that guided every stage of development.

That intentionality can be seen throughout the guide. Indigenous perspectives were woven into both the content and design, including the use of the circle of life as a framework and Indigenous artwork selected to meaningfully represent the resource.

Creating multiple pathways for learning is important, says Amber. Not everyone learns in the same way, and the guide reflects that reality by offering a variety of formats, including books, videos, reports, research articles and practical healthcare tools.

For Adam North Peigan, lead, Indigenous health development and community engagement, the collaborative approach behind the guide became one of its greatest strengths.

"Amber and I do a lot of work to continue to raise that profile," says Adam. “But we could not do that without good allies and people within the organization.”

The guide became an example of what can happen when people from different backgrounds and areas of expertise come together around a shared goal.

More than a collection of resources

While the Indigenous Health Subject Guide serves as a practical resource, those involved in its creation see it as something more than a collection of information.

Adam believes the guide represents another step in supporting awareness, education and allyship across Covenant Health while helping create opportunities for meaningful conversations about Indigenous health and culturally safe care.

For Amber, the guide also has the potential to support broader efforts toward reconciliation in health care.

Having relied on library services throughout her career, Amber hopes the guide becomes a trusted and accessible resource.

"I hope that it creates an easily accessible guide for staff and physicians," says Amber. “One that comes to mind when they have a question related to Indigenous health.”

She believes access to Indigenous-informed learning plays an important role in addressing inequities and challenging misconceptions that continue to exist within health care and society.

"Once there is underlying respect and honour that promotes Indigenous ways of knowing, being and learning, we can move together collaboratively in reconciliation," says Amber. “I firmly believe that education is one of the keys in dispelling stereotypes and racism which continue to thrive based on misinformation about First Nations, Métis and Inuit.”

Looking ahead

For Lana, one of the biggest lessons from the project was recognizing the value of slowing down and allowing relationships to guide the work.

What began as a resource development project ultimately became a lesson in trust, humility and collaboration.

For Adam, the guide reflects the power of relationship building and collaboration. Its creation brought together Indigenous voices, allies and partners from across the organization, each contributing to a shared vision of learning and culturally safe care.

"I'm very, very proud of the finished product," he says. “There's been a lot of hard work that has been put into it.”

The Indigenous Health Subject Guide is publicly available and serves as a starting point for those seeking Indigenous health information, while supporting ongoing learning, reflection and culturally safe care across healthcare settings.