National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

On September 30, we recognize National Day for Truth & Reconciliation. This important day is a time for us all to reflect upon and acknowledge the history and trauma endured by Indigenous survivors of residential schools, as well as the ongoing systemic issues and barriers Indigenous communities continue to face. Over the past few years, Indigenous communities have continued to grieve as many unmarked graves have been found across Turtle Island.

While it is important to acknowledge this ongoing suffering through public apologies and land acknowledgements, there is much more work to be done to truly reconcile with our history and the generational trauma it has caused. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission has issued 94 Calls to Action to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation, several of which apply directly to healthcare and academia. As leaders in our field, both in healthcare and post-secondary education, we can work towards accomplishing these calls to action as well as removing barriers to Indigenous communities in healthcare and education.

Medical Imaging is committed to dismantling systemic racism at all intersections, including in Indigenous communities, through the onSIDE Committee, but steps can be taken to create safer and more welcoming spaces within our hospitals and academic institutions.

There is much work to be done to reconciling our country’s history with Indigenous communities and we all have a role to play.

Sincerely,

Dr. Michael N. Patlas, MD, FRCPC, FASER, FSAR
Professor & Chair
Department of Medical Imaging
University of Toronto

&

Dr. Elsie Nguyen, BSc, MD, FRCPC, FNASCI
Associate Professor, Medical Imaging
Vice Chair, onSIDE
Cardiothoracic Division Lead