June 21 is National Aboriginal Day – a day to celebrate and learn about the heritage of First Nations, Inuit and Métis across the country. Interior Health is committed to working with Aboriginal communities to improve wellness.

“At Interior Health we have a responsibility to provide equal access and appropriate health services for everyone we serve. Unfortunately inequities continue to exist for First Nations and Aboriginal people,” said Interior Health Board Chair John O’Fee. “We’re responding with a strategy that focuses in large part on education and Aboriginal recruitment, to ensure our sites and staff offer a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.”

Interior Health provides cultural safety training for its employees and other opportunities for education. In 2015 Interior Health hired its first Cultural Safety Educator. A second educator is now being hired to further expand education efforts. Learning about Aboriginal history and culture helps health-care professionals provide better care to patients.

In addition, Interior Health is taking action to recruit First Nations and Métis people. In May, Interior Health’s Human Resources department designated one of its team members as a dedicated Aboriginal recruiter. A goal has been set to triple the number of Aboriginal people across the Interior Health workforce by 2025, bringing the percentage of Aboriginal employees from 3.8% to 10%.

“There is a high level of commitment within the organization to listen to our communities and to respond,” said Brad Anderson, Corporate Director of Aboriginal Health with Interior Health. “The Aboriginal recruitment strategy and the investment in not one but two embedded, dedicated educators are great examples of how we are working together and moving forward in a positive manner.”

There are 54 First Nations communities within Interior Health, many situated in rural and remote locations. According to the 2011 National Household Survey, 7.7% of the Interior Health population is Aboriginal. When Aboriginal people work in a cross-section of health-care jobs, it helps reduce barriers for Aboriginal patients who need to access health services. The Aboriginal recruitment efforts will help Interior Health meet its human resource needs while supporting the health-care needs of Aboriginal communities.

The recent Declaration of Commitment: Cultural Safety & Humility in Health Services Delivery for First Nations and Aboriginal People in B.C. signing in Williams Lake is another example of positive collaboration to enhance cultural safety and humility within Interior Health. Four representatives from Interior Health and the First Nations Health Authority, and 13 First Nations and Aboriginal leaders from communities in and around Williams Lake are anticipated to sign the commitment document.

“Addressing bias and racism within our health care system is everyone’s responsibility. From frontline staff, to those voicing their objections when treated unfairly,” said Joe Gallagher, CEO of the First Nations Health Authority. “We encourage all staff at Interior Health to join the #itstartswithme movement for cultural humility and pledge their support for better care.”

Interested in learning more? Read more about the Declaration of Commitment: online at www.fnha.ca/culturalhumility. All health authority CEOs and the Ministry of Health have signed onto this declaration.

Celebrate Aboriginal Day at a community event in your area. The First Nations Health Authority has developed an online map marking Aboriginal Day events across the province.

Above photo: Brad Anderson, Corporate Director of Aboriginal Health with Interior Health. Photo submitted

Interior Health

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