Today, June 21, we honour National Indigenous Peoples Day and recognize the cultures, knowledge, leadership and contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.

For the Rural Coordination Centre of BC (RCCbc), this is also a time to reflect on the ongoing work of reconciliation in rural health care. That work asks us to listen, learn, build stronger relationships, address Indigenous-specific racism and support culturally safer care closer to home.

This year, we are grateful to share a new learning opportunity for health professionals in British Columbia: Alhgoh Together as One, Together as Community: Pathway to Indigenous Cultural Safety.

Designed in partnership by UBC Continuing Professional Development and the First Nations Health Authority, Alhgoh is a free, self-paced online course for primary and community care providers. Funding for the project, including ongoing participant fees and hosting, has been provided by the First Nations Health Authority and the Ministry of Health.

Alhgoh is a word used in Dakelh and neighbouring Wet’suwet’en languages, meaning “together as one, together as a community.” The course description shares that language confirmation and guidance were provided by Elders Violet Bozoki of Lheidli T’enneh, Armond Sam of Nak’azdli Whut’en, and Peter George of Wet’suwet’en. The course artwork is by Clayton Gauthier.

The course supports clinicians to translate cultural safety and humility into action through clinical scenarios, reflective exercises and practical tools. It is one part of the broader work of strengthening culturally safe, respectful and anti-racist care.

We also recognize the Indigenous Medical Education Gathering as an important space for Indigenous leadership, learning, ceremony, story, peer connection and community. IMEG continues to bring Indigenous physicians, medical learners, Elders, midwives, community partners and allies together to strengthen relationships and support more culturally safe health education and care.

We invite rural health providers and partners to read Building culturally safe care through connection and community, a recent BC Medical Journal article by Dr. Terri Aldred and Dr. Lester Todd Alec.

Terri and Todd are both closely connected to RCCbc for Inclusion, Social Justice and Equity (RISE) work and provide leadership across several initiatives in our rural health network. The article shares the work of the Indigenous Clinical Care Circle, a physician-led network that brings together clinicians across BC who provide care to Indigenous patients, many in rural, remote and northern communities. The circle creates space for peer support, practical learning, mentorship and reflection on how care can better reflect community context, cultural understanding and relationships of trust.

We are also grateful for the leadership of Shawn Atleo and Heather Atleo through RCCbc’s partnership with the Atleo Centre for Compassionate Leadership. This work is helping shape compassionate leadership in rural health care, grounded in relational accountability, interconnectedness and care for collective well-being.

Today, we are also reflecting on Indigenous leadership across rural health, including Tla’amin Nation, recipient of the 2026 Rural BC Community Award, and Nisga’a Valley Communities, recipient of the 2025 award.

Learning and accountability do not begin or end in June. We are grateful to the Indigenous physicians, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, community leaders, partners, providers and teams who continue to guide this work.

Resources:

Alhgoh Together as One, Together as Community: Pathway to Indigenous Cultural Safety: Alhgoh Together as One, Together as Community: Pathway to Indigenous Cultural Safety | Course | UBC CPD

Community is Medicine, reflections from the Indigenous Medical Education Gathering: Reflections from the 2026 Indigenous Medical Education Gathering – RCCbc

Building culturally safe care through connection and community: Building culturally safe care through connection and community | British Columbia Medical Journal

RCCbc’s Commitment to Reconciliation: https://rccbc.ca/about-us/truth-reconciliation-commitment/

Tla’amin Nation, 2026 Rural BC Community Award: 2026 BC Rural Health Awards – RCCbc

Nisga’a Valley Communities, 2025 Rural BC Community Award: Rooted in Community: Nisga’a Valley Recognised for Health Leadership and Innovation – RCCbc