A message from our CEO on National Aboriginal Day

In recognition of National Aboriginal Day on June 21, I’d like to acknowledge our commitment to partnering with First Nations leadership and communities, both on and off reserve, to improve the well-being of all First Nations and Aboriginal peoples living in the Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) region. I am proud of what these enduring partnerships have achieved and am confident VCH will continue its journey towards improving the health of Aboriginal peoples.

Working alongside the First Nations Health Authority, VCH is taking steps to incorporate Indigenous cultural safety within the health care it provides and address the unique experiences and issues encountered by Aboriginal people. These steps will assist health care providers in collaborating with individuals, families and communities to ensure equitable access to high quality, culturally safe health care services that honour and respect the traditional beliefs and unique positions of our Indigenous and Aboriginal peoples.

I want to recognize that our places of work lie on the traditional unceded homelands of the fourteen First Nation communities of Kitasoo, Heiltsuk, Nuxalk, Wuikinuxv, Xa’xtsa, Tla’amin, Sechelt, N’Quatqua, Samahquam, Skatin, Lil’wat, Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh.

I encourage you to honour the special relationship we, as Canadians, have with First Nations and Aboriginal peoples and celebrate their rich history and diverse cultures.

Sincerely,

Mary Ackenhusen
President & CEO, VCH