What Does it Mean to be an Ally in Indigenous Healthcare?

Abstract

Allyship is loosely defined as the actions of an individual who works to advance the interests of marginalized groups in which they are not a member. Allyship in the healthcare field is under-studied yet is increasingly an area of interest, given Indigenous health outcomes throughout the world, and especially in countries with colonial histories, are generally poorer than the mainstream population. This qualitative research study took place with healthcare providers in and around the Edmonton area that are community-identified allies providing care for Indigenous patients. Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, much of the research took place virtually. Qualitative description methodology was utilized, and data was generated through semi-structured interviews with allies. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and then coded using thematic analysis. To ensure validity, generalizability, and reliability of the data, verification strategies were used throughout this study. The results indicate that allies share common characteristics and a desire to learn and continue to improve care, while also appreciating the importance of relationships and the need for advocacy towards a systemic overhaul of all social institutions. This thesis not only demonstrates the importance of allyship in healthcare, but also shows that applying the concept of allyship to healthcare relies on a great deal of independent self-guided and ongoing work on the part of healthcare providers.