Indigenous Safety in Healthcare

The Indigenous Safety in Healthcare (ISH) program is a 2.5-day, skills – based learning program that empowers healthcare worker and leaders to move beyond awareness and into transformative change. This experiential, Indigenous-led program combines skills-based and experiential learning to help participants move beyond cultural awareness into meaningful action. 

Grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing, the ISH program builds cultural fluency in Indigenous histories—from pre-contact to present day—while equipping participants with the knowledge and tools to foster safer, more inclusive healthcare environments. Key learning outcomes include understanding Indigenous experiences and the impact of historical and systemic barriers, engaging with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to build mutual trust, and gaining hands-on skills for culturally safe, trauma-informed, and anti-racist healthcare practices. 

Through a combination of online learning and in-person sessions, participants explore key concepts including: 

• Indigenous histories and health disparities 
• Rights-based approaches aligned with UNDRIP and the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action 
• Local Nations and community-specific experiences 
• Indigenous teachings, perspectives, and cultural safety practices 
• Supporting B.C. Ministry of Health’s  In Plain Sight: Address Indigenous-Specific Racism and Discrimination in B.C. Health Care findings and recommendations.  

Program Details 
This 2.5 day program (1/2 day self-paced online learning + 2 full in-person days) is held at the VNFC. In-person experiential learning includes teachings from Knowledge Keepers and participation in cultural practices, a Learning Materials Booklet to accompany and support the online modules, and a completion certificate to support professional development.  This program offers: 

• A comprehensive deep dive into healthcare sector commitments to cultural safety and why they matter. 
• A wholistic approach that addresses learning with mind, body, emotions, and spirit. 
• A culturally grounded, locally developed, and Indigenous-designed learning opportunity. 
• Active learning using multiple approaches and modalities to build skills in providing culturally safe and anti-racist healthcare. 

Please enquire by emailing learning.programs@vnfc.ca 

Costs include learning materials, completion certificate aligned with professional development opportunities, delicious hot lunches, coffee, tea and snacks. 

“I was very grateful for the opportunity to have participated in the VNFC ISH program, along with colleagues from BC Cancer – Victoria. The online materials provided excellent background and context for the work, and the in-person sessions were invaluable learning opportunities. Many Indigenous cultural safety courses are only offered online, and when you can participate in-person in an interactive environment, it truly deepens the learning. I think that this course format really helps staff build the skills and confidence they need to deliver more culturally safe, empathetic and patient-centered care.”