Recently, we had the opportunity to visit a medical anthropology class taught by Dr. Heather Howard. During this visit, students explored how Indigenous peoples’ health is defined, understood, and researched from multiple perspectives.
We spoke with Dr. Howard about her favorite part of teaching the course, how it prepares students for their future careers, and what she hopes they take away from the experience. Here’s what she shared:
What’s your favorite part of teaching ANP 425?
“I love to see students respectfully learning from Indigenous peoples’ experiences, strengths, and insights— and getting excited about how they can connect these with their passions for science, health, bioethics, and the human story.”
How do you see this class preparing students for their future careers or professional goals?
“Many of the students who take this class are planning careers as health care providers, health researchers, or health system professionals. This course prepares them with an understanding of human diversity that is crucial to addressing some of the greatest challenges to health and well-being on the planet. For example, they learn about policy, environmental, and cultural contexts that impact Indigenous peoples’ health. These contexts prompt critical thinking about the structural processes that shape major disease trajectories—and what we can do about them.”
What’s the biggest takeaway you hope students leave this class with?
“Understanding Indigenous peoples’ health is not just about being aware of the specific challenges and solutions experienced by a specific population—though that is certainly important. It’s also about how Indigenous peoples are speaking to all of us and to the future of how we all may continue to live well together as human beings. For example, 80% of the world’s remaining biodiversity is located in Indigenous peoples’ territories. Their emphasis on sustainable food systems and land and water protections is key to the future of planetary health. We can all learn from this—and act on it.”
By Louise Henderson