Northern Health’s Indigenous Health program launched their new website today, along with a new video introducing cultural safety in health care systems. They also announced a name change from Aboriginal Health to Indigenous Health. At a presentation attended by Prince George area MLAs, Dr. Margo Greenwood, Vice President of the Indigenous Health program, shared highlights from the past year.
The Indigenous Health team has undertaken considerable work over the past year in support of Northern Health’s commitment to partner with Indigenous peoples and communities, and to build a health care system that honours diversity and provides culturally safe services.
This month, Indigenous Health launched a short animated video introducing cultural safety and related concepts in an easily understandable way. It invites health care providers to participate in making the health care system culturally safe for Indigenous people and families. They also released an accompanying booklet by the same title, Cultural Safety: Respect and dignity in relationships.
In addition, Indigenous Health launched a new website. They built this site as a resource and place of engagement for Northern Health leaders and staff, as well as for Indigenous community members and organizations. The site was developed to provide clear and accessible information with an elegant design that speaks to both the head and the heart. It has the potential to grow with our work as we develop more ways to share information about cultural safety and humility.
The new website offers a new interactive map as a one-stop destination for locations and contact information of Indigenous communities and health centres, Friendship Centres, and Métis Associations in northern BC. The map provides a glimpse into the past that still resonates across landscapes and in communities by including the location of five former residential schools. It also provides location and contacts for Aboriginal Patient Liaisons and Northern Health Aboriginal Health Improvement Committees.
Quotes:
John Rustad, Nechako Lakes MLA and Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
“We are committed to enhancing cultural safety, and the work done at Northern Health and showcased today exemplifies our achievement and progress so far in the health system.”
Shirley Bond, Prince George Valemount MLA
"If we want to improve health outcomes for all British Columbians it is so important that we have a system that respects, values and acknowledges the traditions of Indigenous patients. By providing new resources including a website and a video it will help honour the diversity of our region and provide much needed information."
Mike Morris, Prince George-Mackenzie MLA
“We’re reaching a new era of care, which provides a unique opportunity for First Nations people to influence and improve health-care services for all British Columbians.”
Nicole Cross, First Nations Health Authority Regional Director
“The launch of the new northern Indigenous Health website and cultural safety video is a great example of the systematic shift Northern Health leadership is committed to achieving throughout their organizations and with their peers. We look forward to seeing the great work ahead for cultural safety within Northern Health and the positive impacts this will have on the experience of our northern First Nations communities when accessing care from NH facilities.”
Dr. Margo Greenwood, Vice-President of Indigenous Health
“We have the opportunity to write a history that will be remembered for addressing inequities, being inclusive and achieving culturally safe health care service delivery. The work of Northern Health’s Indigenous Health Team creates space for privileging the voices of Indigenous peoples, for celebrating diversity and for partnering with them to realize their optimal health and well-being. The new website, the resources and tools, and the partnerships are all a part of Northern Health’s commitment to respectful, collaborative relationships with the Indigenous peoples in northern British Columbia.”