Indigenous Leadership Circle

The Indigenous Leadership Circle (ILC) exists within the institutional contexts of DFCM, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, and the University of Toronto. These institutions are located on lands that have been home to Indigenous peoples for millennia and are subject to national and international law regarding the rights of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis (FNIM) peoples, including but not limited to treaties.

FNIM peoples living in Toronto face a disproportionate burden of challenges across the known social determinants of health, as well as barriers to accessing health services. Access to culturally safe primary care is a critical need for the more than 100,000 FNIM peoples living in Toronto and surrounding communities serviced by DFCM. As of 2022, one in three FNIM peoples—88,000 individuals—were without a regular primary care provider.

DFCM has committed to advancing reconciliation and addressing anti-Indigenous racism across the work of the department. DFCM has also committed to an equity-oriented and socially accountable mission.

The goal of the Circle is to truly embody the notion of “nothing about us without us”, leadership provided by Indigenous people on matters related to Indigenous health and self-governance within DFCM.

Purpose

To advance DFCM’s social accountability to First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Indigenous peoples and populations.

To increase the tangible social value of DFCM activities to these communities.

To better align DFCM policy and activities with the principles of domestic and international law and Indigenous reconciliation policies and recommendations.