Health Authorities

In this section:

This has been one of the most helpful educational experiences in my career!
— B.C.
I think this is something that I will carry forward with me no matter what work or possible future position I may hold down the line.
— E.J.
I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.
— K.B.
Having the ability to at the very least recognize that my way of doing things or "the way things are done" is not the only way.
— K.B.
It shook my foundation.
— K.B.
It challenged my view of myself.
— K.B.
It was a course that had an impact on my personal life.
— K.B.
I am a better person for having been involved in it.
— K.B.
I will look more closely at my own world views and values to determine how these notions shape my understanding and interactions with indigenous clients and clients of different backgrounds.
— A.K.
I have drawn on this course material already in my practice and it has helped me feel more comfortable when Aboriginal clients talk about spiritual/cultural beliefs.
— L.S.
The information reinforced and strengthened my practice with Aboriginal people.
— L.S.
It already has shifted the way I engage with clients in terms of learning new ways to ask questions and I have brought up this training and concepts learned from it in our practice council and have encourage others to participate in it.
— R.O.
Awesome program. I realize through this training that I have so much more to learn.
— K.Y.
I see it as ongoing learning that contributes to my learning and will continue to influence my relationships with aboriginal people and organizations in my work and in my life.
— J.M.
I enjoyed the facilitator's responses and how she was very open and understanding to our responses.
— R.M.
I felt very comfortable throughout and not judged for my feelings and thoughts.
— R.M.
The list of "do's" and "don'ts" was the best compiled list I've ever seen for working with First Nation's people. I will be using this list in my work from now on.
— G.M.
The amount of information was incredible. The facilitators are so knowledgeable and helpful. The course has made me so much more aware of issues faced by Aboriginal people now and the historical context of the experiences they encounter.
— V.S.
The context from which Aboriginal people come has been such an eye-opener.
— V.S.
The quality of the content was fabulous.
— C.F.
The course was non-judgemental & didn't tell me what I was doing was wrong.
— C.F.
The course showed me a better way and provided insight into some of my current thinking and actions.
— C.F.
It will help me provide more in-depth analysis in research and writing about health inequities and how the social determinants of health produce differential outcomes for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations. All too often, I think I just make over-generalized statements about how Aboriginal health and well-being is disproportionate to non-Aboriginal health and well-being, without really explaining why or how that came to be the case. Also, I often lump "disadvantaged" populations (women, Aboriginals, and visible minorities) in one group, but because of this training, I will give more thought and analysis to each group individually - because they are inherently different and deserve appropriate care/attention.
— J.D.
I did some study during my degree but I learned more in these short modules that I ever had before.
— J.W.
It is one thing to learn about stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination and racism, it is another to see what it would be like to be the recipient of this in a clinical setting where respectful medical assistance should be the norm.
— L.M.
We have made 'Hand Washing' modules compulsory, but what could be more meaningful than ensuring that all health professionals are expected to have at least a basic understanding of cultural competency and how to make their practice meaningful. I was particularly impressed by this course's ability to bring history alive and demonstrate how colonization continues to affect indigenous health today. Thank you so much for the opportunity to take this course!!
— S.H.
I want everyone I work with to do this course - it is outstanding! I already felt like I had a lot of knowledge around Aboriginal issues, but this course weaves information together so effectively and I learned many new things.
— S.H.
Thank you so much for this wonderful course on Indigenous cultural competency! I really appreciate all the help, encouragement, and effort from the course facilitators! I wish I had started this course earlier so that I would have more time to process the information! But in any case, this is probably by far the most helpful and informative training on cultural competency that I have ever attended! I thank all the course developers, facilitators, and Vancouver Coastal Health for this wonderful experience! I look forward to more training on aboriginal cultural competency in the near future!
— C.C.
This was a very insightful training and I highly recommend it for anyone and think that more people that don't work with First Nations should take. I am first nations and didn't know about the history and it has changed my outlook. I think everyone should take this training!!
— L.L.
I thought it was absolutely invaluable. I learned more participating in this online course then many other courses I had previously been part of. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone. I gained so much information and knowledge that I will take with me forever!
— R.T
Mostly, I had an honest look at my own thoughts and beliefs and where I need to make changes within myself. I also became aware of changes that need to be made in offices and working with aboriginal and non-aboriginal clients. (i.e: intake process, intake paperwork, outreach, etc)
— R.T.
I have also found it extremely enlightening and it has really deepened my awareness. Pleasantly surprised at how useful and educational it has been. I’m going to recommend to my principal that all of our staff should do it. Thanks for the opportunity!
— S.W.

PHSA Aboriginal Health

 

PHSA Aboriginal Health offers leadership and support to the PHSA Agencies in improving health outcomes for all Aboriginal people through implementation of the health actions of the Transformative Change Accord First Nations Health Plan. PHSA Aboriginal Health hosts annual training and conferences for the approximately 30 Aboriginal Patient Liaisons in BC, supports the Renewing Our Response to Aboriginal HIV/AIDS initiative, and supports community based contracted health initiatives with a provincial focus, such as HIV/AIDS prevention and education.  PHSA supports an Aboriginal Nurse Networking & Resources site for Aboriginal nurses, patient navigators, and doulas.

 

PHSA designed and hosts this PHSA ICC program.

 

The Director, PHSA Aboriginal Program Chairs the PHSA Centres for Public and Population Health’s Aboriginal Centre which provides an Aboriginal lens to the other 8 centres, as well as knowledge synthesis, translation and exchange, research, and training. Through project based activities the Aboriginal Centre demonstrates culturally appropriate and community lead collaboration on health and wellness health initiatives.

 

PHSA’s Aboriginal Subcommittee provides leadership, direction, support and knowledge translation and exchange within the agencies and programs. Members of the subcommittee include PHSA agency partners, programs, and services, and provincial Aboriginal community organizations such as the First Nations Health Council, the Métis Provincial Council of BC, BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, and the BC Aboriginal Network on Disabilities Society.

 

BC Centre for Disease Control 

Chee Mamuk is a provincial Aboriginal program that provides innovative and culturally appropriate sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV education, resources and wise practice models. Chee Mamuk’s services are grounded in community, tradition and science in order to build capacity in Aboriginal communities to prevent the spread of HIV and STIs. Website: Chee Mamuk Aboriginal Program 

 

TB Services for Aboriginal Communities (TBSAC) is a program component of the BC Center for Disease Control - TB Control division.  TBSAC serves all First Nation communities in British Columbia with TB Control activities, treatment, screening, surveillance, training and education. Program support is provided in partnership with First Nation and Inuit Health. Website link is found at www.bccdc.caand click on Tuberculosis.

 

Perinatal Services BC

Perinatal Services BC is a program of the Provincial Health Services Authority.  The mandate is to improve the capacity and processes of provincial perinatal services through strategic leadership across a range of initiatives, with an overriding commitment to quality, accountability and resource planning, education and knowledge transfer, performance targets development and monitoring, and clinical standards achievement. PSBC uses a client-centric, population health approach as the orientation for perinatal services across the province and as the basis of its shared mandate with partners and stakeholders.  Our commitment to the Aboriginal population of BC is to provide leadership, planning and implementation in collaboration with its tripartite partners to achieve the goals of closing the gap in perinatal services specifically action item #21 improve access to maternity services for Aboriginal women.  

Weblink:  www.perinatalservicesbc.ca

 

BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre


BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre’s Aboriginal Health Program provides both on-site and outreach services to improve the health of Aboriginal women and their families. On-site services are First Nations Patient Advocates offering on site patient support to Aboriginal patients and their families. The outreach program offers support to Aboriginal communities (both on and off reserve), and includes education about various women’s health issues, cervical and breast cancer screening clinics.

 http://www.bcwomens.ca/Services/AboriginalHealth