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.” 

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The VNFC Wellness Clinic provides access to healing and wellness modalities for Indigenous community members and people accessing VNFC services. We have partnered with the Pacific Rim College (PRC), the West Coast College of Massage Therapy (WCCMT) and local health providers to bring services in a culturally friendly and supportive environment. All services are free of charge and are by appointment.

Herbal Medicine

Pacific Rim College students provided information and consultations about herbal and plant medicines. Herbal tinctures, teas and capsules are offered to treat a range of conditions.

Acupuncture

Pacific Rim College students provide acupuncture specific to your health needs. Along with acupuncture, your session may include fire cupping, gua sha and tui na massage. Monday 8:45am – 2:15pm

Community Massage

Students from West Coast College of Massage Therapy provide 50-minute massages. Thursday 10:00am – 1:00pm

Foot Care

Footcare clinics are offered to Indigenous Community members by Registered Nurses and are for people with diabetes and elders. They are scheduled once a month, are by appointment only, and cannot be booked through reception. Please contact Scott or Isobel to sign up (scott.i@vnfc.ca or isobel.d@vnfc.ca).

How to Access the Wellness Clinic

Appointments for the VNFC Wellness Clinic can be booked through VNFC Reception (except foot care – see above). Call 250-384-3211 or email reception@vnfc.ca. Please arrive 10-15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.

How to Reach Us

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The VNFC Health Services team includes Indigenous Health Support Workers, Mental Health and Substance Use Counsellors, and a Mental Health Liaison. Our Health Services team provide holistic and culturally safe health and wellness services to people who identify as Indigenous and their families.

Health Support Workers

Provide one-on-one support for people with health challenges, including:

• Navigate access to health care and wellness services
• Advocate on client’s behalf within the health care system
• Assist with accessing health benefits funding for services, equipment, and medications
• Provide transportation to appointments for clients with mobility issues

Provide group support and education, including:

• Lunch & Learns
• Drop-in monthly information sharing about health issues and resources
• Footcare
• Services and assessment provided by a Footcare Nurse for Elders and people with diabetes. Registration is required
• Health Support Circles and Cultural Sharing
• Sharing circles and cultural activities (art, music, food) help to support mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health and wellbeing

Mental Health and Substance Use Supports

• One-on-one counselling for people with substance use issues in all stages of change
• Client-centred goal setting and help with developing healthy living skills
• harm reduction, abstinence, setting boundaries, stress management
• Information about and referrals to other mental health and substance use services for healing and recovery, such as support groups, other agencies, and residential treatment centers
• Advocacy and support in navigating the mental health and substance use systems
• Culturally safe group supports, including talking circles, grief support circles, and cultural activities and teachings
• Community education on mental health and mental health resources and services

How to Access Health Services

To access our one-on-one Health Services, an intake is required. Intake can be completed from 1pm –4pm, Monday to Friday, by either coming in person to the VNFC or calling us at (250) 384-3211. Details about drop-in and group programming can be found on our Health calendar.

How to Reach Us

8:30am – 4:30pm Monday – Friday
Intake is required*

231 Regina Avenue
Victoria, BC
V8Z 1J6

Tel: (250) 384-3211
Email: intake@vnfc.ca

Director: Grey Showler
Coordinator: Christina Kante

*Intake is by phone (250) 384-3211 or in person between the hours of 1:00pm and 4:00pm Monday to Friday. All referrals must go through intake.

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This is a program for women who have experienced violence. It was developed to support Indigenous Women 19+ years of age who are ready and willing to examine their relationship with family violence. The intent of the program is to provide an opportunity for Indigenous Women to gain a deeper understanding of family violence and its impact on self, family, and community.

• Creating a vision of what a community free of family violence would look, sound, and feel like
• Gaining a sense of self/reclaiming sense of self
• Identifying what a respectful relationship would look like
• Defining family violence and effect of family violence
• Cycle of stopping family violence

Program runs 4 weeks in length

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Everyone welcome to drop in. Yul Hill will show us simple ways to help with your overall wellness, using simple touch points and movements from the comfort of your own home. Everyone Welcome. RSVP to Elder.Support@vnfc.ca

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Join us for light exercises, health tips, and organized outings. We participate in the annual July 30×30 challenge, to be active for 30 minutes daily for 30 days. Prize incentives monthly. Regular participants invited to field trips monthly. RSVP by email culture@vnfc.ca.

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The VNFC Food and Medicine Garden is planted year-round, growing fresh, organic vegetables and plant medicines. The garden is tended to by a team of dedicated staff and volunteers.

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The Hamper Program was developed at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to provide food security supports to community members.

The Hamper Program:

– Provides 220 hampers on a weekly basis to families, those sheltering in hotels, individuals, and tenants residing at Siem Lelum and Fernwood house.

– Provides fresh produce, Cobbs bread, Farm and Field meat, Zambris pasta sauce, and non-perishable food items.

– Provide nutritious food and snacks

– Allows for community to continue being connected to the Victoria Native Friendship Centre through food

INTERNAL REFERRALS ONLY

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The “Awakening the Warrior Within” program has been developed to support Indigenous men, 19+ years of age, who are ready and willing to examine their relationship with Family Violence. The intent of the program is to provide an opportunity for Indigenous men to gain a deeper understanding of family violence and its impact on self, family and Community.

“I am grateful to all the men who have decided to walk a path of peacemaking in their relationships with their families and the wider community. They are wanting to take up the more traditional roles of males that our men once had in the past, providing safety, security, support and teachings for the next generations as we continue to break the cycle of violence for nothing. They are all truly Awakened Warriors.” – Glenn Patterson, facilitator

Program Content:

• Creating a vision of what a community free of family violence would look like, sound like, and feel like
• Gaining a sense of self/reclaiming sense of self
• Identifying what a respectful relationship would look like
• Defining family violence and effects of family violence
• Cycle of stopping family violence

Program runs 4 weeks in length

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