Quality care respects individuals for their unique perspectives and acknowledges their cultural contexts. It acknowledges that each of us holds biases and beliefs that shape our worldview, and requires that care providers reflect on and understand how these biases may impact the care they provide.
To foster quality care that is safe and appropriate for Indigenous people, the Council has built a partnership with the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA). In 2016, we began actively collaborating with FNHA to promote Indigenous cultural safety and humility, build capability and capacity within the system, ensure that Indigenous people are part of the Patient Voices Network, and hardwire an Indigenous lens into quality across BC’s health care system.
To further advance awareness and action on cultural safety and humility, together with the FNHA we launched a year-long webinar series that ran from October 2016 to November 2017. The series developed health care professionals’ tools and skills needed to be effective allies for advancing cultural safety and humility, and to understand and integrate this work into their practice or interaction with First Nations and Aboriginal clients. It also advances the Declaration of Cultural Humility & Safety.
Webinar 1: Leading a Framework for Cultural Safety & Humility with FNHA CEO Joe Gallagher
Webinar 1: Leading a Framework for Cultural Safety & Humility with FNHA CEO Joe Gallagher On October 4, 2016, Joe Gallagher, CEO of the First Nations Health Authority, presented on Leading a Framework for Cultural Safety & Humility. His presentation was the the first webinar in a year-long action series from the BCPSQC and the First Nations Health Authority.
Webinar 2: Learning and Advancing the Recommendations of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission with Shelley Joseph
Webinar 2: Learning and Advancing the Recommendations of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission with Shelley Joseph On November 2, Shelley Joseph from Reconciliation Canada presented Learning and Advancing the Recommendations of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission
Webinar 3: The Importance of Story to Cultural Safety Webinar
Webinar 3: The Importance of Story to Cultural Safety Webinar On December 7, Vanessa Mitchell and Brad Anderson from Interior Health presented The Importance of Story to Cultural Safety, the third webinar in our year long action series. Watch it below!
Webinar 4: Intergenerational Trauma and Institutional Avoidance
Webinar 4: Intergenerational Trauma and Institutional Avoidance On January 4, Dr. Evan Adams from the First Nations Health Authority presented Intergenerational Trauma and Institutional Avoidances. At this year’s National Health Leaders Conference, 73% of delegates voted Indigenous Health as Canada’s top health care priority. There is no question that the country is paying attention to the unacceptable health gaps between First Nations and non-Aboriginal. Reconciliation is an essential dimension of improving healthcare quality; only, too often reconciliation is viewed as focusing on the injustices of the past. In this webinar, hear from Dr. Evan Adams about how reconciliation is an everyday…
Webinar 5: Pursuing Cultural Safety
Webinar 5: Pursuing Cultural Safety On February 3, Carol Peters and Dina Lambright from Fraser Health presented Pursuing Cultural Safety – From Unearthing Bias to Realizing Reconciliation The politics of acknowledgement come to the fore in Fraser Health’s Indigenous Cultural Safety debrief circle sessions. Facilitated by Aboriginal Health Liaison, Carol Peters, the debrief circle sessions are a training opportunity founded on the principles of inclusivity, respect and intentionality. Through a talking circle, participants undertake a personal and professional journey of self-discovery. In this space, buried biases can be unearthed and intentional practices towards reconciliation may be realized. Join Fraser Health’s Aboriginal…
Webinar 6: Cultural Humility and Nursing in BC
Webinar 6: Cultural Humility and Nursing in BC On May 3, FNHA Chief Nursing Officer Becky Palmer, nurse Inez Louis from the Sto:lo Nation, and and nurse Lisa Sam from Nak’azdli presented Cultural Safety and Nursing. Nurses play an important role in delivering quality care for First Nations communities in BC. Nurses are sometimes the first and only local health support for rural and remote communities, and can be a trusted source of advice. What does cultural safety and humility mean as a nurse working in a First Nations community? How can nurses working with First Nations and Aboriginal peoples…
Webinar 7: Cultural Safety – Respect and Dignity in Relationships Indigenous Peoples and the Health Care System
Webinar 7: Cultural Safety – Respect and Dignity in Relationships Indigenous Peoples and the Health Care System On June 7, Northern Health’s newly branded Indigenous Health Team presented an overview of Northern Health resources that support cultural safety, along with specific examples of resources and initiatives developed and undertaken by local Aboriginal Health Improvement Committees.
Webinar 8: Racism as a Determinant of Health
Webinar 8: Racism as a Determinant of Health On July 5, we heard from Dr Charlotte Loppie, Professor in the School of Public Health and Social Policy, Faculty of Human and Social Development at the University of Victoria, and Director of the Centre for Indigenous Research and Community-Led Engagement (CIRCLE), in our eighth Cultural Safety & Humility Action Series webinar. How does racism function as a social determinant of Indigenous peoples’ health? How does racism shape good health for some and poor health for others? What does racism look like in our health system? In attempting to reduce the harms of racism…
Webinar 9: Cultural Safety Framework and Action Plan from Vancouver Coastal Health with Leslie Bonshor
Webinar 9: Cultural Safety Framework and Action Plan from Vancouver Coastal Health with Leslie Bonshor On September 6, we heard from Leslie Bonshor, a member of Tzeachten First Nation and the Aboriginal Health Executive Advisor at Vancouver Coastal Health, in our ninth Cultural Safety & Humility Action Series webinar. Leslie discussed how the health authority is transforming their work through a Cultural Safety Framework, and the multiple levels of support and enablers for implementing a framework and action plan, including HR recruitment, organization systems, physical spaces, and beyond.
Webinar 10: Responding to Anti-Indigenous Racism in the Health Care System
Webinar 10: Responding to Anti-Indigenous Racism in the Health Care System With Yvette Ringham Cowan and Laurie Harding Stemming from a history of colonialism and ongoing racism in Canada, Indigenous people continue to experience many harms when trying to access health care. This presentation will take a closer look at where and how these harms tend to occur in the system, and what we can start doing as individuals and organizations in response. Drawing on lessons learned from the San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training program, this webinar will unpack the ways anti-Indigenous racism and stereotyping show up in health care settings and…
Webinar 11: Leading with Culture in First Nations Community Contexts
Webinar 11: Leading with Culture in First Nations Community Contexts First Nations in BC have practised traditional healing and wellness since time immemorial. Today, traditional wellness approaches have a vital role in improving overall health and wellness for First Nations. Services that are consistent with First Nations values and principles and reflect First Nations models of health and wellness are an essential attribute of quality health services. Elder Virginia Peters will share what traditional healing and wellness means in her region and what is important in delivering traditional wellness programming as a part of providing culturally safe services for First Nations….
