CSHBC was deeply saddened and appalled to learn of the discovery of the remains of 215 children in a mass grave on the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. We stand with the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nations and all Indigenous people in BC as they continue to be faced with the trauma caused by the Residential School System.
While this discovery is specifically linked to Canada’s Residential School System, we must acknowledge that the report entitled In Plain Sight (full report | summary report), found widespread systemic racism against Indigenous peoples in the BC health care system.
As the regulator of audiologists, hearing instrument practitioners, and speech-language pathologists in BC, we remain committed to the work of improving safety for Indigenous peoples who access healthcare in BC, and we continue to look to our Indigenous leaders in this ongoing process. We are horrified by the recent discovery in Kamloops and hope that it will lead to increased awareness of the necessity for reconciliation and decolonization in Canada.
The College reminds registrants of their responsibility to provide safe, effective, and ethical care to all clients. This includes acknowledging the systemic racism that exists in healthcare and making efforts to recognize, reflect upon, and address any unconscious bias that could cause harm to the public we are mandated to protect. See the Cultural Safety & Humility page for more information about the College’s commitment to cultural Safety and Humility.
Our thoughts are with the Indigenous peoples of this country. We acknowledge their anger and grief, and we acknowledge that there is much work still to be done to address the inequities, pain, and suffering caused by colonialism in BC and in Canada.