Truth and Reconciliation

Doctors of BC recognizes the negative impact that colonialism has and continues to have on Indigenous communities, and how unsafe health care spaces have left many Indigenous patients fearful to seek medical assistance.

In alignment with the 2019 Declaration of Commitment—Cultural Safety and Humility in Health Services Delivery for First Nations and Indigenous Peoples in BC, which was signed by Doctors of BC, we are committed to advancing Truth and Reconciliation across the profession.

Physicians have a significant role to play, and Doctors of BC will continue to collaborate with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities to advance cultural safety in medicine. We are committed to developing a Truth & Reconciliation plan in collaboration with Indigenous leaders that considers the historical role of the Association and profession, to address and eliminate racism.

In an effort to align with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, and the Government of British Columbia’s In Plain Sight report, much of our ongoing work and programs are supported through the Physician Services Committee and delivered through the Joint Collaborative Committees (JCCs), a partnership of Doctors of BC and the BC government.

This work cannot be achieved without meaningful partnerships and insight with Indigenous Peoples; we aim to continuously engage with Indigenous partners and follow their guidance to educate, inform, and motivate our members and employees.

Indigenous-specific anti-racism and cultural safety in the PMA

The 2022 Physician Master Agreement (PMA) includes a joint declaration by Doctors of BC and the Ministry of Health acknowledging the pervasive and ongoing harms faced by Indigenous Peoples with a commitment to work together to support Indigenous Specific Anti Racism (ISAR) and Cultural Safety initiatives.

The agreement gives Doctors of BC a voice at a provincial level and intends to build a collection of anti-racism, cultural safety, and trauma-informed standards, policies, tools, and resources for health care organizations, including developing new tools and resources specific to BC. It also established a physician-specific provincial committee to consult on physician-specific issues related to Indigenous-specific anti-racism and cultural safety.

Since the release of the In Plain Sight report, we have been collaborating and engaging with Indigenous communities on how best to incorporate recommendations from the report and advance cultural safety. This work has included:

• Enhancing physicians’ knowledge about cultural safety and humility through workshops, seminars, and community engagement opportunities in partnership with Indigenous facilitators, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers.
• Engaging Indigenous communities in our work by ensuring they are represented on leadership committees and fostering ongoing relationships with First Nations Health Authority and other Indigenous health care leaders.
• Funding for physician-led initiatives, such as quality improvement initiatives that engage Indigenous Peoples in the planning and implementation of projects and local Indigenous-led primary health care initiatives.
• Leading system change by supporting partnerships with local First Nations and Indigenous communities through Primary Care Networks (PCN), and by integrating cultural advisors, traditional wellness healers, Elders and Knowledge Keepers in local PCN implementation.

Indigenous-specific anti-racism and cultural safety physician champions

Through the JCCs, physician champions are identified to amplify activities and practices aimed at increasing Indigenous cultural safety and humility.

Champions can influence other physicians to actively address the health care-specific (18-24) Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and promote guidelines and tools at practice level.

There is also support available to physicians working in Indigenous health contexts by establishing a setting to collaborate, identify gaps, and meet the unique needs of physicians supporting Indigenous patients.

Creating culturally safe spaces within health care settings

The Joint Collaborative Committees worked with Indigenous artist sɬə́məxʷ Rain Pierre to design an art print that can be displayed in medical offices across BC to create a welcoming space for Indigenous patients, and to inspire conversations, show support, and signify the importance of culturally safe care. Displaying this artwork in your practice is one way to show you are committed to the provision of culturally safe health care for Indigenous patients. To request an art print be mailed to your practice or office, complete the art request form.

We are also partnering with the Health Authorities to bring cultural safety learning opportunities into facilities across the province.

First Nations community-based experiential learning sessions

These sessions provide a unique relationship-building opportunity for physicians and local First Nation communities. Communities aim to support physicians in providing culturally safe care by proactively addressing issues related to Indigenous-specific Anti-racism (ISAR) and Cultural Safety (CS) in the delivery of medical services.

Participants learn about the effects that colonization has had on Indigenous Peoples in an impactful and experiential way, as well as ways to provide safe and respectful care to Indigenous patients. The sessions are co-hosted by Len Pierre Consulting and local First Nations communities, and additional sessions are being added regularly. 

Indigenous cultural safety webinars

Physicians are provided with webinar-based learning opportunities to enhance their knowledge of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis culture, and to learn more about how to practice in culturally safe ways.

Registration for webinars can be found on the JCC Collaborate on Health BC events page.

To watch past webinars, please visit the Doctors of BC’s YouTube channel. 

Compassionate leadership

Through the Rural Coordination Centre of British Columbia (RCCbc), and in conjunction with the JCCs, the Compassionate Leadership Community of Practice delivers 10 cohorts annually that focus on connection and building non-violent resilience.

This training program is led by Shawn and Heather Atleo. The training is grounded in Indigenous and Western pedagogy and instills connective, empathic skills for health leaders.

The Doctors of BC’s Guide to Indigenous Territorial Acknowledgments provides guidance for members representing or doing work on behalf of Doctors of BC, including those serving on committees, working groups, the JCCs, the Representative Assembly, and the Board. We’re sharing the guide publicly in the hopes it will be a useful resource for members and other physician groups.