Physician honoured with eagle feather

Date: Nov. 9, 1999
Time: 2:34 pm

Dr. Shah received an eagle feather -- a symbol of strength and discipline in aboriginal culture -- in recognition of his efforts over the last 25 years to improve the provision of health care for aboriginals.

Shah, a professor in the department of public health sciences at the University of Toronto, cared for a large Aboriginal patient population in Northern Ontario and later helped train community leaders to educate others about their culture and health issues.

"I'm a visible minority, I've always been interested in marginalized groups," the pediatrician and internist said. Dr. Shah began his career providing medical services in Sioux Lookout 1 week each year and soon increased to 3 weeks annually.

"Homelessness, child poverty, unemployment, these are the health problems of the marginalized," he said. By 1989, however, he realized that the community had come to rely on him for solutions, even though Aboriginal resources were available to help them. "I was a hindrance," he admitted.

Shah decided to take a different route and started the annual Visiting Lectureship on Native Health. Each year, by Aboriginal speakers deliver 3 weeks worth of public lectures to people from hospitals, public health, high schools and university -- 90% of attendees are university students. Shah's goal is to heighten sensitivity and maybe even incite action.

"If we are to promote self-determination or Aboriginal rights we need champions outside the community," says Shah who also works 2 half-days a week at Toronto's Anishnawbe Community Health Centre. The lectures and forum also help stop "the cycle of misinformation."

That's precisely what attracted lecturer Jim Morris, Deputy Grand Chief for the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation, a Northern Ontario political organization of 50 First Nations groups. "The most important thing is to educate urban mainstream Canadians about Aboriginal people, history, culture and health status," said Morris. "We are changing perceptions," he adds. During his week as the visiting lecturer he made about a dozen presentations.

Shah also received R.D. Defries Award this year from the Canadian Public Health Association for his outstanding contribution to the health of marginalized people.

-- Barbara Sibbald, eCMAJ Today

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