The federal government plans to spend $8 million to establish a mentorship network for First Nations, Metis and Inuit health researchers.
The funding follows a recommendation by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that all levels of government endeavour to increase the number of indigenous people working in health care.
Health Minister Jane Philpott made the announcement this morning in Thunder Bay, Ont., saying it will support the next generation of indigenous health researchers and provide unique learning opportunities.
She says support from the federally-funded Canadian Institute for Health Research will create eight teams of mentors in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario,
Quebec and the Atlantic provinces as well as a national co-ordinating centre.
Philpott says bringing more First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples into the health profession will result in more culturally-sensitive care and will encourage Indigenous Peoples to access services.
Dr. Carrie Bourassa, the scientific director of the CIHR's institute for Aboriginal Peoples' health says the funding acknowledges the potential of indigenous researchers and its ripple effects will be felt for years.