In reflecting on the sacred Indigenous blanket ceremony that the CCBC participated in on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, it is encouraging that we are moving forward with reconciliation in health care as recommended by the In Plain Sight Report. Moments captured from this special day marking the adoption of the Indigenous Cultural Safety, Humility, and Anti-racism Practice Standard are now available:
- Watch the ceremonial highlights in this video.
- For the full-length video of the ceremony visit this link.
The College celebrates these consistent and collaborative efforts with the BC College of Nurses and Midwives and the College of Physicians and Surgeons in developing this practice standard with 11 other health profession member colleges of the BC Health Regulators including:
College of Chiropractors of BC
College of Naturopathic Physicians of BC
College of Occupational Therapists of BC
College of Psychologists of BC
College of Physical Therapists of BC
College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC
College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of BC
We are honored that this work has been guided by Sulksun (Shane Pointe), proud member of the Coast Salish Nation and the Musqueam Indian Band, and Knowledge Keeper to all, and Joe Gallagher (k’wunəmɛn) of Tla’amin Nation, Principal at Qoqoq Consulting Ltd. throughout the process. Both Joe Gallagher and Sulksun presided and led the blanket ceremony along with several Indigenous partners and special guests who were witnesses to these proceedings.
While the College is excited to be part of this incremental shift in health care, we understand that there is much more to be done in being responsible stewards of these new practice standards and in further development of initiatives to meet the needs of other reconciliation recommendations. We continue to ask our registrants to review and reference the Indigenous Cultural Safety, Humility, and Anti-racism Practice Standard and reflect on how this standard could support patient care in their practice.
The Standard supports the goals of eliminating Indigenous-specific racism and fostering culturally safe practice in BC’s health care system. It acknowledges that Indigenous-specific racism exists in health care and sets expectations for chiropractic professionals to provide culturally safe and appropriate care to BC’s First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples.
For example, the very first step and principle mentioned in the Standard states:
“Cultural humility begins with a self-examination of the health professional’s values, assumptions, beliefs, and privileges embedded in their own knowledge and practice, and consideration of how this may impact the therapeutic relationship with Indigenous clients/patients. Cultural humility promotes relationships based on respect, open and effective dialogue, and mutual decision-making.”
For more information about the practice standard visit the College’s Indigenous Cultural Safety, Humility, and Anti-Racism Practice Standard’s web page.
If you have questions and/or feedback, please contact the CCBC at info@chirobc.com.
