PHSA has two groups of Indigenous patient navigators (IPNs) that support culturally safe experiences for Indigenous peoples. One group of IPNs who works specifically to support those wishing to make a complaint through the Patient Care Quality Office and the other group of IPNs support specific PHSA programs.

Indigenous patient navigators (IPNs):

• Act as a resource and support for Indigenous patients and health care providers to ensure the provision of care is client-centred and culturally safe
• Address/interrupt Indigenous-specific racism
• Promote cultural safety and humility training and education for staff and employees of PHSA

While both groups of navigators support culturally safe experiences for Indigenous peoples, they have different roles.

PHSA Indigenous patient navigator - patient experience

This role specifically addresses patient experiences of Indigenous-specific racism and unsafe care within the health care system. The IPN-patient experience can provide support for filing a complaint with the Patient Care Quality Office (PCQO) as well as provide other patient experience support. For further information and contact details please click on the Brochure link provided below.

• PHSA IPN Services Brochure Print-Friendly Version (PDF)

Site-specific Indigenous patient navigators

Indigenous patient navigators (IPNs) collaborate with Indigenous peoples and their families to ensure access to high-quality care that is trauma-informed, culturally safe and free of racism and discrimination.

These IPNs provide direct service to patients and their families with PHSA programs.

Find an Indigenous patient navigators by site

There are 18 Indigenous patient navigators working at a number of locations across PHSA. For information about specific IPN program, please contact:

• BC Cancer: Visit the BC Cancer Indigenous cancer control page or email icc@bccancer.ca
• BC Women's: Visit the BC Women's Indigenous Health page
• BC Children's Hospital: Visit the BC Children's Hospital Indigenous Health page
• BC Emergency Health Services: email IndigenousHealth@bcehs.ca

San’yas delivers Core and Advanced Indigenous Cultural Safety Anti-Racism training courses within a unique model of online facilitated learning, based on principles of decolonizing, anti-racist, and transformative education theories. San’yas has delivered training to over 200,000 people since its launch in 2009, and is a mandated training aligning with PHSA’s Commitment to Truth & Reconciliation.

While some of the course material can be challenging, we offer highly skilled real-time facilitators to support learning at different intervals of the curriculum. Our training uses a strengths-based approach to emphasize the ongoing vitality and perseverance of Indigenous Peoples in the face of colonialism.

Includes an introduction to:

• Examining identity and relationship to Indigenous Peoples, lands, and governance systems
• A history of colonial narratives, policies, and identifying present day practices and impacts
• Professional responsibilities and opportunities to support positive change

We offer both anti-racist online training courses and consultation services to support organizational and systems change. Our long-term goal is to correct and transform the societal systems that continue to harm Indigenous people.

For team and individual registrations please contact: ics@phsa.ca

The National Indigenous Cultural Safety (ICS) Learning Series of webinars provides an opportunity to access knowledge, experiences, and perspectives in support of collective efforts to strengthen Indigenous cultural safety across sectors. At each session, guest speakers present topics related to Indigenous cultural safety. In live streams, facilitators encourage participants to submit questions to be answered at the end of the session. Each webinar is recorded and an excellent resource for self-directed group or individual learning.

Learn more, register for the next webinar or watch previous ones at: www.icscollaborative.com.

Questions or more information:

Contact ICS@phsa.ca.

The ICS learning series is produced by PHSA Indigenous Health and guided by an advisory council of national and international Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders.