On the busy street of Nanaimo, just off Grandview Highway, some great things are happening at Lu’ma Medical Centre.

With totem poles flanking its welcoming entranceway, the clinic is focused on providing excellence in medical care for Indigenous people living in Vancouver in a culturally safe and appropriate manner.

Culturally safe care

“In terms of our approach, we’re really trying to create a culturally safe space for our Indigenous clients living here in Vancouver – to access primary care and speciality care,” explains Dr. Michael Dumont, a physician at the centre. “It’s really intended to be a space where our clients are comfortable…where First Nation, Inuit and Métis people experience less barriers and less stigma in taking care of their health and wellness. We’re improving access and care for urban Indigenous people.”

Dr. Dumont who has Anishinaabe First Nations ancestry says that having culturally safe and culturally humble providers who understand the historical wrongs that have taken place over the years is what makes the health services safe for Indigenous patients. Western and Indigenous health and wellness practitioners are fundamental – essential – for providing the level of care clients need and deserve explained Dumont.

Since its opening in April, the Lu’ma clinic has helped more than 300 patients. Dr. Alexandra King is an internal medicine specialist with an interest in HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C.

“You need to embrace cultural safety as an organization, within our process and practices – Lu’ma is doing that,” she says. “This is something the Indigenous community has envisioned for Lu’ma and something Michael and I are both committed to.”

Responding to demand

Dr. King, who is a member of the Nipissing First Nation, says there was demand for the clinic, which is one of three Indigenous-focused facilities in the Vancouver area.

“It was the Indigenous community here, as well as Indigenous people throughout the province that decided we needed another medical facility to better serve urban Indigenous people in the Greater Vancouver Area,” she says. “So you’re seeing Indigenous self-determination in action at this point.”

Lu’ma Clinic is made possible through funding and collaboration from Vancouver Coastal Health, First Nations Health Authority, Vancity, City of Vancouver, and Vancouver Division of Family Practice.

Laurel Jebamani, Aboriginal Health Lead for VCH, welcomes Lu’ma Medical Clinic and the culturally safe services they provide for Indigenous people.

“We hear from the Aboriginal community that some patients have had bad experiences with health care in the past,” Laurel says. “They have not felt welcomed, they felt there were assumptions made about them, they felt judged. This clinic offers a different experience.

“Lu’ma Clinic is a non-judgemental and welcoming place. A safe space for Aboriginal people. There is focus on holistic wellness… overall health and the whole person through an Indigenous lens.”