This webinar discusses how public health spaces have fallen short in addressing racism as a public health problem. The focus is on uncovering ways to move beyond theory/research on racism as a determinant of health to concrete actions that public health professionals should take to address this issue.

The webinar was presented by Diane Smylie, who is the Ontario Lead for Projects and Partnerships for San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Learning Programs, and Samiya Abdi, who is a Senior Program Specialist at Public Health Ontario.

Diane’s presentation focused on the importance of grounding public health practice in knowledge that includes a strong understanding of anti-Indigenous racism on Turtle Island and the ongoing and specific effects this has on the health of First Nations, Inuit and Metis Peoples. Diane also shared information about the anti-racist education programs offered by San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Learning Programs.

Samiya’s presentation focused on anti-Black racism as a public health crisis, covering the histories behind this topic, as well as what has been done to address it within public health spaces today. Her focus was on moving beyond the acknowledgement of anti-Black racism to actions that can be taken by public health to produce institutional change.

View webinar recording here.