16 Janet Smylie

Dr. Janet Smylie

Time period:

1990s – present

Subject:

Medicine, Indigenous Health

Biography:

Dr. Janet Smylie became one of Canada’s first Métis physicians after completing her studies at Queen’s University, the University of Ottawa, and the University of Toronto. She also has a Master of Public Health from John Hopkins University. Dr. Smylie’s excellent work in Indigenous health has made her an internationally recognized researcher and has resulted in her winning numerous awards in her field. She is currently appointed to a Tier 1 Canadian Research Chair at St. Michael’s Hospital, where she leads the Well Living House Action Research Centre for Indigenous Infant, Child and Family Health and Wellbeing. Furthermore, Dr. Smylie is a professor at the University of Toronto and does part-time clinical work in family medicine. She is a proud member of the Métis Nation of Ontario and works to combine scientific research with Indigenous knowledge, to support Indigenous communities in Canada.

Summary of their contributions:

Dr. Smylie has published over 230 papers in the field of Indigenous health. Her paper “First Peoples, Second Class Treatment: the Role of Racism in the Health and Wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples” received media attention and was downloaded over 4500 times in the week following its release. A large amount of her research involves gathering data and assessing the health needs of previously ignored Indigenous populations in Canada. She uses these assessments to address the racism existing in health services by developing new guidelines for healthcare professionals working with these communities. Dr. Smylie works to Indigenize healthcare and identify the best practices for maternal, infant, and child health. She has helped develop the Toronto Birth Centre which utilizes Indigenous knowledge in its practices and advocates for increased funding for First Nation, Métis, and Inuit health services.

Integration with the BC Secondary Science Curriculum:

Dr. Smylie’s research and advocacy for Indigenous health could be discussed in many areas across the BC science curriculum. Her accomplishments are incredible and she would be an inspiration to students looking to begin a career in science. However, her research is particularly relevant to Anatomy & Physiology 12 and Science for Citizens 11, where the content focusses on Indigenous health perspectives.

Anatomy & Physiology 12:

• Holistic approach to health
• Lifestyle differences and their effects on human health
• Consider the role of scientists in innovation
• Connect scientific explorations to careers in science
• Consider social, ethical, and environmental implications of the findings from their own and others’ investigations
• Apply First Peoples perspectives and knowledge, other ways of knowing, and local knowledge as sources of information

Science for Citizens 11:

• Evidence-based decision making through science.
• Personal and public health practices, including First Peoples traditional health and healing practices
• Apply First Peoples perspectives and knowledge, other ways of knowing, and local knowledge as sources of information
• Connect scientific explorations to careers in science
• Consider social, ethical, and environmental implications of the findings from their own and others’ investigations
• Consider the role of scientists in innovation

References:

BC Curriculum. Building Student Success – B.C. (n.d.). https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/curriculum

Janet Smylie. ICES. (n.d.). https://www.ices.on.ca/ices-scientists/janet-smylie/

Janet Smylie. Research at St. Michael’s Hospital. (n.d.). https://research.unityhealth.to/researchers/janet-smylie/