Canadian Health Libraries’ Responses to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action: A Literature Review and Content Analysis

Authors

  • Lara Maestro University of British Columbia
  • Daniel James Chadwick

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29173/jchla/jabsc.v38i3.29300

Abstract

Abstract

 

Introduction: As part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s (TRC) Final Report on the history and legacy of residential schools in Canada, ninety-four (94) Calls to Action were identified. Of those, seven are health-specific. The objective of this research paper is to determine how Canadian health library websites are responding to these calls to action.

 

Methods: The authors conducted an initial literature review to gain an understanding of the context of Indigenous health in Canada. A content analysis of Canadian health library websites was conducted to track mentions of the TRC and their responses to the need for Indigenous-focused resources.

 

Results: The results of content analysis indicated few online responses to the TRC’s Calls to Action from Canadian health libraries. Only thirty-three per cent of Canadian health libraries had content that was Indigenous-focused, and only about fifteen per cent of health libraries had visible content related to the TRC’s Calls to Action. Academic and consumer health libraries were more likely to have both TRC- and Indigenous-focused content.

 

Discussion: Nuances related to the research question resulted in some challenges to research design. For example, website content analysis is an imperfect indicator of real-world action. Limitations in research design notwithstanding, visibility is an important part of conveying commitment to the TRC, and the information available indicates the Canadian medical community is not living up to that commitment.

 

Conclusion: Canadian health libraries need to do more to show a visible commitment to the TRC’s Calls to Action.

References

References

1. Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action [Internet]. Winnipeg, Manitoba: Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada; 2015 [cited 2017 Mar 27] p. 1–11. Available from: http://www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/File/2015/Findings/Calls_to_Action_English2.pdf
2. First Nations Health Authority (FNHA). Our history, our health [Internet]. First Nations Health Authority. [cited 2017 Apr 4]. Available from: http://www.fnha.ca/wellness/our-history-our-health
3. National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health / Centre de Collaboration Nationale de la Sante Autochtone. Setting the context: An overview of Aboriginal health in Canada [Internet]. Prince George: University of Northern British Columbia; 2013 [cited 2017 Apr 4] p. 1–8. Available from: http://www.nccah-ccnsa.ca/Publications/Lists/Publications/Attachments/101/abororiginal_health_web.pdf
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6. Smylie J. Setting the context: Achieving strength through numbers: First Nations, Iniut, and Metis health information [Internet]. Prince George: University of Northern British Columbia; 2009 2010 [cited 2017 Apr 4]. Available from: http://www.welllivinghouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Achieving-strength-thru-numbers1.pdf
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14. Coulter H. LibGuides: Indigenous resources - Background, policy, analysis: Welcome! [Internet]. Brandon University. 2017 [cited 2017 Apr 8]. Available from: http://libguides.brandonu.ca/indigenous/welcome

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Published

2017-12-01

How to Cite

Maestro, L., & Chadwick, D. J. (2017). Canadian Health Libraries’ Responses to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action: A Literature Review and Content Analysis. Journal of the Canadian Health Libraries Association Journal De l’Association Des bibliothèques De La Santé Du Canada, 38(3). https://doi.org/10.29173/jchla/jabsc.v38i3.29300

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Section

Research Articles