Indigenous led emergency response

Uniting Indigenous Knowledge, Primary, and Secondary Care to deliver Healthcare  

This paper explores the critical role of Indigenous knowledge and networks in delivering healthcare, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

It highlights how Indigenous peoples’ deep-rooted cultural values, expertise, and collective care networks are essential to achieving health equity. By uniting indigenous-led approaches with primary and secondary healthcare systems, this paper demonstrates how community-driven initiatives can effectively respond to public health challenges. Internationally, it is not the default position of healthcare systems, to be led by indigenous-based knowledge or community. Through case studies, we will showcase how these partnerships have successfully fostered ongoing community awareness, participation, and care delivery during COVID-19, illustrating that healthcare is a shared responsibility. These examples reveal a path to achieving long-term equity through culturally responsive, asset-based approaches that prioritize the strengths of Indigenous communities.