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(Vancouver, B.C.) — The Arthritis Community Learning Circle today launched the Arthritis Call to Action website. The website is hosted by Arthritis Consumer Experts (ACE) in collaboration with Indigenous and arthritis community leaders across Canada and Indigenous advisors. Co-created by Arthritis Consumer Experts and its Indigenous Advisor, Dr. Terri-Lynn Fox. The website is an entry point into Truth and Reconciliation for the arthritis community in Canada.

“The Call to Action website features resources to help non-Indigenous people learn and move forward towards Truth and Reconciliation. Meaningful Reconcil-ACTION starts by listening with one’s heart. Knowing the history of Indigenous Peoples and being aware of the previous mistakes that have been made by governments and individual settlers can help us move in the right direction, together. Wherever you may be on your journey, we invite you to walk with us,” said Dr. Terri-Lynn Fox.

For non-Indigenous arthritis patients and health care providers, the site provides valuable information to promote education, dialogue, and action around the value of Indigenous Peoples healing practices, and appropriate means of application by healers and Elders in the care of Indigenous Peoples. The website covers key topics such as Colonization, Indigenous Health, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action on Health (#18 to 24), and the Arthritis Community Learning Circle. Website visitors will also find current information on successful programs that incorporate traditional healing, and the latest arthritis research involving, and led by, Indigenous Researchers and Indigenous Participants in Canada.

“We are honoured to be one of the partners for this important program. The new website is a place where members of the arthritis community can access resources and learn more on their journeys of self-reflection, learning and re-learning to gain greater understanding of Indigenous Peoples’ culture, traditions, and ways of knowing and being,” said Cheryl Koehn, President of Arthritis Consumer Experts.

The Arthritis Community Learning Circle is committed to using inclusive language that is free from words, phrases and tone that reflect discriminatory or stereotyped views of underrepresented people or groups. In our attempt to avoid bias or using language that appropriates other cultures as it relates to Indigenous Peoples health and wellness, the Arthritis Community Learning Circle consults with Indigenous advisors to ensure its website and other written materials use terms and expressions that align with Indigenous identities and are culturally appropriate.

Arthritis Community Learning Circle

Arthritis disproportionately affects Indigenous Peoples. Yet the path to culturally appropriate and sensitive arthritis care for Indigenous Peoples in Canada is hindered by the inequitable structures that exist. To address these care gaps and optimize health outcomes of Indigenous people with arthritis, the arthritis community in Canada – rheumatology researchers, health care professionals, and patient organizations and their members – has established an Arthritis Community Learning Circle (ACLC), a safe and trusted space where people can learn from Indigenous leaders to better understand and collaborate on Truth and Reconciliation. Members come from diverse backgrounds with a shared aim to act and make meaningful contributions to the health Calls to Action #18 to 24 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Report. The ACLC is committed to supporting Indigenous leadership to design and deliver healthcare programs and services that are respectful of and aligned with the specific needs, preferences and values of Indigenous Peoples living with arthritis.

Arthritis Community Learning Circle Leadership

Founded by Arthritis Consumer Experts, the ACLC consists of arthritis community leaders from across Canada who are guided by Dr. Terri-Lynn Fox, from the Blood Tribe, within the Blackfoot Confederacy, and her Siksikaitsitapi ways. Dr. Fox has a bachelor’s degree in psychology; a master’s degree in sociology; and a doctoral degree in education. Her dissertation topic “Indian Residential Schools: Perspectives of Blackfoot Confederacy People” explored the experiences of Survivors from the Blackfoot Confederacy from six Indian Residential Schools. Dr. Fox is both directly and indirectly affected by Indian Residential Schools. She is the daughter of two Survivors of an Indian Residential School and is a survivor of Indian Day Schools, herself. She is blessed with four children and six grandchildren.

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For further information, please contact:
Kelly Lendvoy
Vice President, Communications & Public Affairs
Arthritis Consumer Experts
lendvoy@jointhealth.org
Tel: 604.379.9898

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