Honouring Culture Centering Care
We stand beside Indigenous communities to build healthcare systems rooted in respect, equity, and belonging
A Commitment to Listening, Learning, and Action
The Chilliwack Division of Family Practice is committed to walking alongside Indigenous communities to develop and uphold Indigenous-specific anti-racism strategies. This work involves listening deeply, learning continuously, and co-creating approaches that address racism within healthcare systems. Together, we strive to create spaces where every person feels safe, valued, and heard.
What is Cultural Safety and Humility?
Cultural safety and humility in healthcare is essential to addressing inequities and achieving better health outcomes for Indigenous communities in BC. Rooted in the 7 Caring Teachings: this work starts with understanding what we mean by Cultural Safety and Cultural Humility.
Cultural Safety is based on respectful engagement that results in an environment free of racism and discrimination, where all employees, patients and communities feel safe within the healthcare system.
Cultural Humility is a process of self-reflection to understand what personal and systemic conditional biases are, and through cultural safety & humility awareness, develop and maintain healthy relationships.
Principles for Cultural Safety and Humility
Indigenous community engagement sessions were held across Chilliwack and Fraser East rural region (Sts’ailes to Boothroyd). From these conversations, the following guiding principles were identified for delivering safer, more inclusive care.
We integrate this framework across our care teams, clinics, and partner organizations through three key principles:
Foundational Knowledge
Providers should be oriented to community values, cultural norms, traditions, and the history of trauma to ensure delivery of care is culturally informed and respectful. Training is provided on:
- Indigenous history, values, and community traditions
- Local First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultures
- Acknowledgment of traditional territories
Relationship Building
It is important to have consistent providers who take time to listen and build trust with their patients, this strengthens participation in care and supports better health outcomes. That’s why we strive to:
- Collaborate with communities to welcome new providers and support transitions
- Create opportunities to connect and strengthen provider-patient relationships
Respect in Every Interaction
Care should be delivered in a judgment-free environment, with respectful, human-to-human interaction, regardless of personal circumstances. Our teams are:
- Trained to recognize and address stigma, racism, and systemic barriers
- Encouraged to listen deeply and everyone as a whole person
Ready to Grow With Us?
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