Truth & Reconciliation in Psychology

Introduction to Indigenous Peoples in Canada

Indigenous Peoples in Canada include First Nations, Inuit, and Métis, each with unique languages, histories, spiritual beliefs, and cultural practices. Understanding their diversity is essential for culturally competent psychological practice.

• Definition: Indigenous Peoples are the native people of North America and their descendants.

• Population: Over 1.8 million people in Canada self-identify as Indigenous (Statistics Canada, 2021).

• Diversity: Each group has distinct languages, histories, and cultural protocols.

Example: Indigenous languages are distributed across regions, reflecting the diversity of nations and communities.

Historical Context: Residential Schools and Cultural Genocide

For over a century, Canadian policies aimed to assimilate Indigenous Peoples, notably through the residential school system, which sought to erase Indigenous cultures and identities—a process described as "cultural genocide." These policies have had profound intergenerational impacts on mental health and well-being.

• Residential Schools: Institutions designed to assimilate Indigenous children by removing them from their families and cultures.

• Impact: Loss of language, culture, and family connections; intergenerational trauma.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada

The TRC was established to document the history and lasting impacts of the residential school system. It produced a comprehensive report and 94 Calls to Action to promote healing and reconciliation.

• Mandate: Inform Canadians about residential schools and their effects.

• Calls to Action: Recommendations addressing child welfare, education, language and culture, health, justice, and reconciliation.

• Goal: Foster renewed relationships based on respect, rights, and partnership.

Psychology’s Response: Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) Initiatives

The CPA responded to the TRC by forming a task force and updating ethical guidelines to address the needs of Indigenous Peoples and promote decolonization in psychological practice.

• Principle 1: Respect for Rights and Dignity – Acknowledging social injustice and its impact on mental health.

• Principle 2: Responsible Caring – Providing culturally congruent care by including Indigenous concepts of health and illness.

• Principle 3: Integrity in Relationships – Training in cultural competence and safety is essential.

• Principle 4: Responsibility to Society – Avoiding the use of inappropriate psychological tools that disadvantage Indigenous Peoples.

Guiding Principles for Decolonization and Relationship Promotion

The CPA recommends six guiding principles for working with Indigenous Peoples:

• Cultural Allyship: Actively supporting Indigenous communities and learning about their cultures and histories.

• Humility: Approaching collaboration with respect and openness to Indigenous knowledge.

• Collaboration: Co-developing services and research with Indigenous communities, ensuring their voices are central.

• Critical Reflection: Evaluating one’s own biases, training, and the impact of colonization.

• Respect: Honoring the resilience and knowledge of Indigenous Peoples.

• Social Justice: Ensuring research and services benefit Indigenous communities and respect OCAP® principles (Ownership, Control, Access, Possession).

Research and Applied Contexts

• Participatory Action Research: Involves Indigenous Peoples as equal partners in research, not just subjects.

• OCAP® Principles: Indigenous communities must have ownership and control over their data.

• Cultural Safety: Services must be defined as safe by those receiving them, not by the providers.

Assessment Tools for Indigenous Communities

Psychological assessments should be culturally relevant and developed in collaboration with Indigenous communities.

• Canadian Indigenous Cognitive Assessment (CICA): A tool designed for cognitive assessment in Indigenous populations.

• Cultural Connectedness Scale: Measures cultural connectedness in Indigenous contexts.

Resources for Further Learning

• Canadian Psychological Association: Indigenous Peoples’ Psychology Section

• National Centre for Truth & Reconciliation: nctr.ca

• American Psychological Association: Native American Indian and Alaska Native heritage