Indigenous-led Health Initiatives

Indigenous peoples across British Columbia and beyond hold deep knowledge, resilience, and strength rooted in connection to land, culture, and community. Despite this, colonisation, systemic racism, and ongoing inequities in health systems continue to produce poorer health outcomes for Indigenous peoples across all indicators. The Rural Coordination Centre of BC (RCCbc) implements several initiatives to address these health disparities: The Indigenous Physicians Network engages and provides opportunities for connection among Indigenous students, residents, physicians, and health allies across BC; the RCCbc on Inclusion, Social Justice and Equity (RISE) reference group fosters network relationships, supports continued learning and growth, and champions the application of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action within RCCbc’s work; and Compassionate Leadership instils connective, empathic skills in rural health leaders.

RCCbc also acknowledges the work of UBC Rural Continuing Professional Development’s (UBC RCPD) Rural CPD Indigenous Patient-Led CPD program, which brings rural Indigenous community members and rural physicians together for Nation-led cultural safety education.

Achievements

Continued Relationship Building and Strategic Planning

In 2024, the RISE reference group continued to meet virtually. RISE expanded their conversations to connect with the Rural Doctors Network of Australia (RDN) in July of 2024, welcoming stories and questions from both RCCbc and RDN teams, while sharing a presentation alongside Elder Cheryl on Indigenous history and reconciliation in Canada.

Creation of the RISE group action plan offers an accessible document that outlines the target areas for RISE, as identified by the reference group and RCCbc member feedback, as well as resources needed, responsibilities, communication and evaluation for each area. The creation of this resource has helped the team prioritise and stay grounded in our goals and identify gaps.

2024 Indigenous Medical Education Gathering

The 2024 Indigenous Medical Education Gathering (IMEG) on March 8-10, 2024 was a resounding success, bringing together a diverse group of attendees, including physicians and medical students to residents, health science students, midwives, Elders, and an audiologist.

The event featured several key highlights, including discussions in sharing circles, time spent with Elders, and teachings from the Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN). A keynote presentation on the neuroscience of land-based healing from TFN was particularly impactful.

Attendees appreciated the opportunity to connect with other Indigenous health professionals and students, finding value in a more intimate atmosphere. Many noted that spending time with Elders in smaller sharing circles, movement-based activities, and traditional wellness approaches being closer to nature fostered a strong sense of community and learning.

Guidance for Indigenous Facilitation or Speaker Fees and Offerings

Creation of RCCbc’s Guideline for Indigenous Facilitation/Speaker Fees, Offerings, and Engagement, with guidance provided by Carrie Lamb, while acknowledging that she is not speaking on behalf of all Indigenous Peoples and that these guidelines are according to her worldview.

RCCbc recognizes the importance of providing a facilitation/speaker fee (honoraria) as a gesture of reciprocity to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals in a culturally sensitive and respectful way. These payments are most often considered ‘Gifts’ — an inherent and traditional custom in most Indigenous cultures today. This policy serves to assist employees in making these payments.

First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals may be invited by RCCbc employees to participate in various cultural events, provide advisory services to engage RCCbc Indigenous cultural safety practices, and contribute to community consultations.

To establish and maintain positive relationships with communities, it is imperative that representatives of RCCbc honour, respect, and learn the cultural protocols of Traditional Knowledge Holders from the point of contact, throughout the engagement, and beyond.

Explore the numbers

72 Attendees

The 2024 Indigenous Medical Gathering welcomed 72 attendees, including physicians, residents, students, midwives and Elders.

Making a Difference

RISE worked with the RCCbc team to support the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Rural Doctors Network of Australia (RDN) at the Ubuntu 2024 conference in Cape Town, South Africa. The MOU solidifies a commitment to share Indigenous history, current efforts at reconciliation and personal stories within both networks. The continued un-learning and learning continues to advance our work towards a better way working and for Indigenous communities with a focus on health equity and reconciliation. Read more here.

“Our two organizations have clearly emerged from more than just scientific ideas or methods – they embody a genuine commitment to people. What I have learned… is that few people and organizations truly live by the principle of keeping the community at the centre.”

Richard Colbran, CEO of Rural Doctors Network