Indigenous Cultural Safety (ICS)
Our living commitment to actively dismantle systemic Indigenous-specific racism within the healthcare system to create a culturally-safe environment for better health outcomes for Indigenous patients and their families.
Project Background
This strategy is a living commitment to actively dismantle systemic Indigenous-specific racism within the healthcare system. It is guided by our collective vision, which is to be recognized as a leader in providing culturally-safe and responsive healthcare.
Once achieved, our system will be one where the inherent rights to health and self-determination for Indigenous People are upheld and respected. Within this system, Traditional Anishinabek knowledge, healing practices and language will be woven into care.
Further, individuals, partners, and providers within the Maamwesying Ontario Health Team will operate from a deep understanding of cultural humility, anti-racism, and trauma-informed principles. They will work to co-design services with Indigenous patients and their families to ensure that the voices of those with lived experiences provide guidance for delivery.
Project Goals
Within the vision of the Indigenous Cultural Safety Program, our aim is to:
- Build Cultural Safety as a pillar for Indigenous patients and their families
- Address training needs identified by our communities and partners
- Reduce health disparities and combat anti-Indigenous racism
With systemic barriers to health equity eliminated, health outcomes from Indigenous Peoples are measurably improved.
Accomplishments
The key actions of the Indigenous Cultural Safety Program are guided by the following Principles:
- Self-determination
- The Medicine Wheel
- Cultural Humility
- Anti-Racism
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Respectful Partnerships
Foundational Training
In sync with these principles, our first phase of the important work of developing Foundational Training has begun. This involves creating a multi-level cultural safety and anti-racism training program for all staff, clinicians, and leadership via an Online Living Library.
Blanket Experience for Paramedics
A 2-hour Indigenous Cultural Safety (ICS) experience is currently being developed for paramedics who serve our First Nation community members and residents. It is divided into two sections: remote online modules and an in-person Blanket Exercise. This blanket exercise provides important context and an educational starting point for individuals who provide healthcare services to Indigenous Peoples.
Indigenous Cultural Safety Coordinator
Development of a full-time Indigenous Cultural Safety Coordinator position to continue the work.
ICS Resources
