Indigenous Cultural Safety & Humility
Interior Health (IH) is committed to Cultural Safety and Humility in our facilities and the communities we serve. We encourage all IH medical staff to explore education and resources to engage in a culturally safe approach in their day-to-day practice.
In this video, Dr. Nancy Humber reflects on what she has learned on her cultural safety and humility journey, how to provide culturally safe care and how she has aspired to be an ally to Indigenous Peoples.
Territory Acknowledgement
At Interior Health (IH), we recognize and acknowledge that we are collectively gathered on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the seven Interior Region First Nations. This region is also home to 15 Chartered Métis Communities; we recognize the contributions of the Métis to these lands. It is with humility that we continue to strengthen our relationships with First Nation, Métis, and Inuit peoples across the Interior.
Acknowledging Traditional Territory recognizes and respects Indigenous peoples and the relationship First Nations have with the land on which we gather. Acknowledgement is an essential component of reconciliation.
Please refer to the AD0100 policy for IH protocols on Welcoming and Acknowledging First Nation Traditional Territory.
Learn the pronunciations of the seven Interior First Nation territories (recorded by Rose Melnyk)
What is Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility?
Indigenous Cultural Safety is a health care approach that considers how social and historical contexts, as well as structural and interpersonal power imbalances, shape health and health-care experiences.
In a culturally safe organization, staff are self-reflective and self-aware and understand their role in creating Culturally Safe spaces for colleagues and clients. This self-reflection process is Cultural Humility.
Learn more about IH Cultural Safety & Humility (AD0200) policy
Explore the First Nations Health Authority’s (FNHA’s) Creating a Climate for Change booklet to learn more about Cultural Safety and Humility in health services delivery for First Nations and Indigenous peoples in B.C.
Indigenous Patient Navigators
Indigenous Patient Navigators are important members of our care teams. They work in hospitals and health centres throughout Interior Health and are available to support Indigenous peoples and their families during their care. Having an Indigenous Patient Navigator as part of the patient care team creates a safe space for Indigenous peoples to interact with the health system.
Education resources
Advancing Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility throughout IH requires both individual and systems-level change. At the provider level, we seek to provide education and resources. At the systems level, we endeavour to embed a cultural safety lens within all programs, services, policies, and structures of the organization.
Interior Health is committed to the elimination of racism and to Cultural Safety and Humility in our facilities and the communities we serve. Visit the Indigenous Health & Wellness page to learn more about our strategy and formal commitment.
Interior Voices is our Indigenous health and wellness podcast series that explores the intersection of health and culture in the workplace, our everyday lives and patient care.
The Indigenous Cultural Safety Education playlist illuminates the Journey to Cultural Safety and Humility of IH medical staff and medical leaders. These short-form interview videos speak to various topics, from understanding structural determinants of health to following a relational patient-care approach.
This video playlist is developed by the IH Journey to Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility (JASCH) education program.
Watch the Introduction to the playlist:
The Journey to Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility (JACSH) education program is endorsed by IH Senior Executive Team to provide foundational education for IH staff.
The JACSH program ensures that all IH staff have the knowledge that a culturally safe approach involves (1) paying attention to the roots of health and health-care inequities, including colonization, and (2) taking action in their day-to-day practice.
Explore the IH Indigenous Cultural Safety Education series (requires Interior Health network access)
San’yas means ‘way of knowing’ in Kwak’wala, the language of the Kwakwaka’wakw Peoples. The San’yas Anti-racism Indigenous Cultural Safety Training Program is delivered by the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), providing a series of Core and Advanced Training Courses, Webinar Services, and Consultation Services.
Contact
For educational inquiries, please contact: IndigenousCulturalSafetyHumility@interiorhealth.ca
The winter and holiday season can bring joy, but can also bring stresses and challenges. Explore these 10 tips for supporting for mental and physical health.
/stories/10-healthy-habits-winter-and-holiday-season
Party more safely this holiday season with these tips from our Harm Reduction team.
/stories/checklist-safer-celebrating-season
Meet Sue Raymer, president the of the Castlegar & District Hospital Foundation, and learn more about her and her fundraising journey in Castlegar.
/stories/foundation-spotlight-series-castlegar-district-hospital-foundation
Stephenie has lived in Vancouver, Ontario, and Vernon and brings her fun and positive attitude to her role as an administrator at Vernon Health Unit.
/stories/we-are-ih-small-mighty-admin-assistant-loves-boost-morale
Slips, trips, and falls can happen at any time of the year, but we typically see an increase in these incidents when conditions are snowy and icy.
/stories/how-prevent-slips-trips-falls-winter
Many of us will attend holiday gatherings and with more opportunities to drink alcohol, it can be easy to overindulge. Learn how to celebrate in a healthy way.
/stories/holiday-spirit-tips-drinking-moderation-season
STAY CONNECTED
Receive news and alert posts, and Stories@IH blog posts, right to your inbox!