« The first thing I would say is to really consult with the community if you want to set something up at the hospital. It’s not up to doctors, health care professionals, or administrators to create an Indigenous environment. It’s really up to the community to come together and create it […] For hundreds of years, it’s been a top-down approach, and now we’re trying to change things so that it’s more the community that creates. […] And we know that works. »
Sean Yaphe, Doctor and co-founder – the Indigenous Health Centre of Tiohtià:ke
Highlights from the approach to the project
- Indigenous organizations have been playing an active role in developing equitable practices for First Nations, Inuit, and, Métis peoples for many years. It is essential to honour their expertise in this area ;
- The importance of structuring the project based on guidelines for research in an Indigenous context becomes a central focus of the project. These guidelines highlight the central importance of involving members of Indigenous partner organizations in all stages of the project ;
- Cultural security is not limited to individual intervention practices; it refers to several types of actions relating, for example, to institutional governance and architecture.
How can we actively promote equitable care and services for First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples?
Listen to staff members working within the CCSMTL and Indigenous organizations share their advice :
Shared advice
- Overcoming barriers between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people requires spending time together
- Create spaces for meeting and exchange, without pressure or judgment
- Consult with members of the Indigenous community as much as possible and appropriate when launching initiatives
- Be flexible
- Promote connections between patients and green spaces (e.g., gardens in hospitals)
- Offer traditional meals
- Question your own sources of information about Indigenous peoples and open yourself up to the teachings of Indigenous creators
- Strive to be an ally. This has an impact in supporting the struggles of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
- Learn about the history of the territories and languages of the Indigenous peoples present in your place of residence and work
For more information
Take a look at a list of resources and tools about indigenous cultural safety (link coming soon)