Being able to see with “one eye forward and one eye back”, with an understanding of both Indigenous and Western knowledge of health, is the topic for a public discussion this week.

" /> Being able to see with “one eye forward and one eye back”, with an understanding of both Indigenous and Western knowledge of health, is the topic for a public discussion this week.

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Indigenous MD talks to Hamilton family doctors

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Being able to see with “one eye forward and one eye back”, with an understanding of both Indigenous and Western knowledge of health, is the topic for a public discussion this week.

Dr. Evan Adams, a former professional actor and now the medical officer of health for the First Nations Health Authority of B.C., will give the 2016 Carl Moore Lecture on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 4:30 p.m. in the second floor auditorium of the David Braley Health Sciences Centre at 100 Main Street West. The lecture, sponsored by McMaster University’s Department of Family Medicine, is open the public and free.

“My story of two-eyed seeing – growing up with the dichotomy of Indigenous knowledges and Western knowledges – but in balance – describes a vibrant and holistic vision of wellness, healthy families and communities,” says Adams. “My work as an Indigenous public health physician focuses on improving the health care for First Nations through wide-scale health system transformation, but also on Indigenous approaches to leadership, kinship and traditional wellness.”

Adams seeks to engage lecture attendees in a dialogue on how to pursue an Indigenous health agenda. He will draw on experiences from the intent, purpose and content of the Tripartite First Nations Health Plan in British Columbia, including identifying the key challenges, content and process for managing change in the health of First Nations.  

The annual lecture honours Dr. Carl Moore who was chair of the family medicine department from 1975 to 1985, and who is recognized as a leader in primary care innovation.

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