Truth, Reconciliation, Indigenous Health and Occupational Therapy 

Occupational therapy professionals have the opportunity to collaborate with First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples to support the health, well-being and self-determination efforts of Indigenous communities. By engaging in meaningful partnerships, continually advancing their knowledge through education and research, occupational therapy professionals can provide increasingly accessible, inclusive, purposeful and culturally safer occupational therapy services with Indigenous Peoples. 

Statement of Commitment to Indigenous Peoples


On September 30, 2023, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the OT TRC Task Force released the Occupational Therapy Statement of Commitment to Indigenous Peoples in Canada and the Acknowledgement and Reflection on the OT TRC Task Force. The Statement of Commitment is intended to guide the reconciliation efforts of OT leadership organizations and to increase accountability to advance the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada Calls to Action and the Final Report on the National Inquiry into the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Calls to Justice, and support the implementation of the United Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) within the occupational therapy profession. 

Responding to the calls to action and recommendations within the TRC, MMIWG and UNDRIP, individually and collectively, is the responsibility of the occupational therapy profession at all levels (education, research, clinical) and presents an opportunity to translate their principles and values, human and occupational rights, and socially transformative approaches into practice. 

Statement of Commitment 

Acknowledgement and Reflection on the OT TRC Task Force 

In June 2019, CAOT's Board of Directors unanimously established a TRC Task Force for occupational therapy in Canada. Its primary goal was to promote leadership within the profession, lead the way towards culturally safer research, clinical practice, and education, and support reconciliation and decolonization. Led by Co-Chairs and Métis occupational therapists Angie Phenix and Kaarina Valavaara, the Task Force presented its Action Plan in November 2020. In 2021, the governance structure expanded to include representation from Occupational Therapy Canada (OTC) member organizations. These efforts aim to address long-standing health inequities of First Nation, Inuit and Métis peoples and contribute to dismantling oppressive structure and systemic racism.

In September 2023, the TRC Task Force ended its mandate and released the Occupational Therapy Statement of Commitment to Indigenous Peoples in Canada and a final report outlining recommendations and next steps for the occupational therapy profession.  

CAOT acknowledges that our national office, located in Ottawa, Ontario, is built on the unceded, unsurrendered Territory of the Anishnaabe Algonquin people. CAOT acknowledges the enduring and vibrant presence, culture, history, and inherent rights of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples across Canada on whose traditional territories CAOT’s members and staff live and work.  

CAOT encourages all occupational therapists, occupational therapist assistants, and students to engage in research and exploration to learn about the lands they are currently on and to mindfully and purposefully create their own territory acknowledgement and commitments to reconciliation.  

CAOT recognizes the historical and current structural influences on Indigenous People’s health and advocates to reduce barriers while increasing recognition of the strength and resiliency of Indigenous Peoples and communities. Please review CAOT’s Position Statement on Occupational Therapy and Indigenous people (2018).  

CAOT continues to engage with key stakeholders to discuss the challenges and recommendations identified by CAOT members regarding Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) and Jordan’s Principle and will continue to highlight areas for improvement including equality in implementation across Canada. 

Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB)  

The NIHB program provides eligible First Nations and Inuit people with coverage for a range of health benefits that are not covered through other programs or insurance plans.  

Jordan’s Principle  

Jordan’s Principle is a child-first principle to ensure First Nations children receive the services they need and when they need them. The principle is the focus of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Call to Action #3 which calls upon all levels of government to fully implement Jordan’s Principle.  

Please contact advocacy@caot.ca to share your experiences and feedback regarding the programs or other advocacy matters related to Truth, Reconciliation and Indigenous Health.   
If you would like to share ideas regarding TRC and occupational therapy or if you have suggested resources to add to this page, please contact practice @caot.ca, advocacy@caot or complete the CAOT Advocacy & Communication Tool.