A pre-agenda for the Sudbury Board of Health meeting on Sept. 19 shows that board members will be asked to adopt a new program called the Unlearning and Undoing White Supremacy and Racism Project.
Details were outlined in a briefing note in the pre-agenda, written by Dr. Mustafa Hirji, who is the acting medical officer of health and CEO of Public Health Sudbury and Districts (PHSD).
The project outlined for the Sudbury health unit is based on a program from the provincial department of public health in British Columbia.
Hirji wrote a detailed explanation why the program would be important for public health employees noting that the Indigenous Engagement Strategy at PHSD has been in place for six years, has strengthened relationships with Indigenous partners and has built PHSD's cultural competency.
In defining the issue, Hirji wrote that while racism might not seem like a health concern, it is.
"Colonization, racism, and white supremacy as social determinants of health affect every person in our society,” he wrote. “Some groups benefit and some groups are disadvantaged. Indigenous and racialized individuals, families, and communities are negatively affected disproportionately by these pervasive social issues."
The briefing note said the program would be voluntary. Hirji also wrote of the risks of not accepting the program.
"By maintaining the status quo, we are doing a disservice to our vibrant and multicultural community," he wrote.
He added that if the Board of Health does not ensure cultural competency in action "we risk Public Health being seen as being untrustworthy and unable to follow through with its commitments to Indigenous partners and communities."
Hirji also wrote that a local task team has been established made up of a diverse group of staff to review and adapt this work. The project is set to launch in early 2025, said the briefing note.
Hirji's recommended action is "that the Board of Health commit to participating in the Unlearning and Undoing White Supremacy and Racism Project. This commitment will include two hours of self-guided learning and 15-30-minute closed group discussion per month." The project would take 18 months.
The meeting for the board of health takes place Thursday afternoon at 1:30. The meeting will be livestreamed from the PHSD office at that time at this link.