Parnika Godkhindi
Program & Level: Arts and Science Level II
Growing up as an immigrant in Canada, I found that the voices and stories of this land’s Indigenous peoples were frustratingly missing from classroom discussions and the overall education system. Having no exposure at all to Indigenous worldviews or way of life, I became complacent and ignorant—I “settled” in my mind. Though I had always been interested in the healthcare field, I was unaware of the many health inequities facing Indigenous peoples. After attending IHC last year, my mind was blown by just how little I knew about healthcare, Canada’s oppressive history (and present!), and the interdisciplinary lens required to consider these issues. I believe these are pertinent topics that all students at McMaster should engage in, regardless of program or faculty. As such, I joined IHM to learn, and also help others learn, about contemporary Indigenous health issues and medicine from a non-Western perspective. Given that the path towards reconciliation will require cooperation and understanding between both Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals, I believe that IHC plays an important role by facilitating productive conversations and community learning. As the Arts and Science Faculty Liaison, I hope to call upon my peers to apply our interdisciplinary education to real world Indigenous health issues, and advocate alongside Indigenous communities for a more equitable, accessible, and holistic approach to health.