Indigenous cultural safety in the Joint Collaborative Committees

Since signing the Declaration of Commitment, the Joint Collaborative Committees (JCCs) have engaged with Indigenous communities as part of their quality improvement initiatives. The JCCs are committed to advancing cultural safety by learning more about Indigenous culture and history, engaging with First Nations communities and incorporating culturally safe care into practice. Most recently, the JCCs have engaged in discussions on how best to incorporate recommendations from the 2020 In Plain Sight report and are collaborating to advance cultural safety by:

1. Enhancing knowledge about cultural safety and humility

• Workshops and seminars to facilitate learning about Indigenous history and cultural safety
• Cultural Safety and Racism series with Harley Eagle (JSC)
• Compassionate Leadership Training Pilots (JSC)
• Sany’as Indigenous Cultural Safety training for physicians
• Events to learn about culture and wisdom from elders

2. Engaging First Nations communities in our work 

• First Nations representation on committees and project steering committees 
• Indigenous Physician Network (JSC)
• Developing relationships with First Nations Health Authority and local First Nations communities

3. Funding local Initiatives that include Indigenous Peoples 

• Quality improvement initiatives that engage First Nations and Indigenous Peoples in planning and implementation of projects that make a difference for Indigenous patients
• Local Indigenous led primary health care initiatives

4. Leading system Change

• Supporting partnership with local First Nations and Indigenous communities through the Primary Care Network (PCN) development to ensure system transformation is responsive to the needs of Indigenous patients and is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives of wellness
• Integration of cultural advisors, traditional wellness healers, and Elders in local primary care networks