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Cultural safety and humility

Making the health system more culturally safe for First Nations and Aboriginal people

Systemic racism and discrimination towards First Nations and Aboriginal people continues to be a major problem in many contemporary health care settings, often resulting in inappropriate treatment and barriers to accessing health care. 

BCCNP's commitment

In 2017, the previous B.C. nursing colleges were three of 22 B.C. health professions to pledge their commitment to making our health system more culturally safe for First Nations and Aboriginal people. BCCNP continues this commitment. ​

How can nurses make the health system more culturally safe?

Increasing the level of cultural safety in the health care system through approaches such as cultural humility, cultural safety, health literacy and relationship-based care will assist in improving the quality of health services for First Nations and Aboriginal people. Nurses are well-positioned to make a difference.

BCCNP encourages you to: 

Collaborating with First Nations Health Authority

In partnership and collaboration with the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), BCCNP has been asked to support the data collection of current and future BC First Nations and other Aboriginal health professionals in B.​C. Registrants will have the option of answering two questions on their registration renewal application in 2020. ​

What will registrants be asked?

​Nurse practitioners, registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses will see the following questions when they renew their registration. These questions will be included for licensed practical nurses for renewal in 2021. 

Do you identify yourself as an Aboriginal person, that is, First Nations, Métis, or Inuit?
Yes 
No
Prefer not to answer

 
If you identify as an Aboriginal person, are you:
First Nations
Métis 
Inuit​
Why is this information being collected?

​BC First Nations have a health governance partnership with the province of BC. In 2006, the parties identified “practicing certified First Nations health care professionals” as an indicator of progress of the Transformative Change Accord: First Nations Health Plan. This data will be used to inform reporting on this indicator. ​

How will this information will be used?

​Any data collected will be shared in aggregate form with FNHA.

Is answering mandatory?

​No. Answering these questions is optional. Your eligibility for renewal of your registration will not be impacted by your responses or your choice not to respond.  ​

Need more information?

​If you have questions or concerns about how this information will be used or why it is being collected, we encourage you to contact the First Nations Health Authority​.

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