The VCH Aboriginal Health team has developed in-person and virtual Indigenous cultural safety learning opportunities for staff. If you would like to participate, please contact aboriginalhealthservices@vch.ca.

The chatter of the Strathcona health team filled the room while the sunlight welcomed the September 15^th,  2016 morning. Aboriginal Health Lead (AHL), Dion Thevarge and Aboriginal Wellness Program Counsellor (AWP), Reil Dupuis, were facilitating the second very successful Indigenous Culture Safety (ICS) workshop.

The learnings for the 45 VCH participants began with why and how to do a “land acknowledgment”. The groups of four added laughter to their chatter as they shared their family’s history of arriving to Turtle Island (North America) and practised the “land acknowledgement”. The 2015 VCH Aboriginal Cultural Safety policy requires staff to offer a “land acknowledgement”. The small group activity creates a welcoming space for engaging with this important practise.

As the morning evolved a hush entered the room as the groups of four came back into the large circle, during an experiential card game. After brain storming in their small groups, they placed Indigenous peoples historical cards upon a timeline draped across the middle of the floor. The entire class looked on as they built the timeline together, unfolding Indigenous peoples history, until present day. As the Indigenous cultural safety workshop came to a close the participants responded to their experience with the workshop survey. When the Strathcona team was asked what they liked the most about the workshop, here are a few of their responses:

Responses

• Very well presented. Loved the timeline exercise. Really put things into perspective.
• The session was very impactful & informative and delivered in an engaging & interactive manner.
• Presenters were articulate and emotionally intelligent; they were very skilled at identifying and reflecting the ideas being shared and experienced.
• The interactive nature of the session (especially the timeline learning exercise). Plenty of opportunity for discussion. The respectful time throughout the whole session.

Third workshop

A third workshop will be held October 28, 2016 for approximately 30 Primary Outreach Services Team members with facilitators AHL Dion Thevarge and AWP Counsellor, Jennifer-Lee Koble. There are more interactive learning opportunities on the horizon with lunch’n learns, webinar series, in-house and virtual Elders stories & teachings, book club, ICS resources, and other workshops.  We look forward to seeing you there.