Thoughts on National Indigenous Peoples Day

My 8-year-old enjoys sharing new things she learns at school – from special fish, to algae in the water, to all of the interesting cultures reflected in the kids at her school. Earlier this month, she came home and shared with us what she’d learned about residential schools. She told us about 215 children who died and whose bodies had been found. She showed us the ribbon she tied on her school’s fence to remember these children, one of 215 ribbons tied. Then she asked us what we would have done as parents if someone had taken her away.

I’m still thinking about my answer. For me, this was a question about a hypothetical situation. But I realize for hundreds, if not thousands, of others it is their reality.

The month of June is National Indigenous History Month, with June 21 also marking National Indigenous Peoples Day. This year both are dedicated to all of the missing Indigenous children, their families, and the survivors of residential schools.

I think we are all still processing the news of the discovery in our own ways, both personally and professionally. But I’m proud to share with you the work Doctors of BC is embarking on as it relates to cultural safety and humility within the profession and the health care system.

Doctors of BC has the ability to effect change in a wide-ranging and significant way. In the past, doctors have spearheaded campaigns that have led to social and legislative changes to help keep British Columbians safe, including: mandatory seatbelt use, bike helmets, quitting smoking, destigmatize drug use, and overcome concerns about vaccines. Now we are looking to lead and support deep and profound changes in the way our health care system treats Indigenous peoples. We are committed to cultural safety and humility within our organization and the broader health care system. That’s why in March, we hired a Cultural and Community Partnership Advisor who is taking the lead role on all activities related to cultural safety and anti-Indigenous racism. Our new Advisor is dedicated and allocated to this work full-time, engaging with all areas of the association – including the Joint Collaborative Committees (JCC) – to organize and lead our efforts for change within Doctors of BC. He is also leading a cross-organizational team on the creation of an overall plan for Doctors of BC to address the challenges and recommendations raised in the report, In Plain Sight, by Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond.

I recently heard Ms Turpel-Lafond speak and wanted to share some of the advice she gave. She said that we should not be rushing out to do things that won’t have substantial impact, but rather, that we take the time to be coordinated and thoughtful. As a profession and as individuals, let’s remember this as we move forward. Indigenous communities, facing such a grievous loss with more revelations likely to come, deserve our very best. As individuals, let’s do our part to learn our history – to acknowledge where we’ve come from and how far we still have to go. As a profession, let’s take the time do the necessary work properly and to do it well – together.

- Dr Matthew Chow