On September 30, 2022, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, 11 BC health profession regulatory colleges — including CSHBC — took part in an important ceremony. The ceremony marked the launch of the Standard of Practice for Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, & Anti-Racism that the colleges have adopted.
The Standard of Practice supports the goals of eliminating Indigenous-specific racism and fostering culturally safe practice in BC’s health care system. The standard acknowledges that Indigenous-specific racism exists in health care and sets clear expectations for Registered Audiologists (RAUDs), Registered Hearing Instrument Practitioners (RHIPs), and Registered Speech-Language Pathologists (RSLPs) to provide culturally safe and anti-racist care to BC’s First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples.
Learn more about the Standard of Practice:
- Registrants and the general public: Read the Standard of Practice (PDF) and the CSHBC News story about the standard
- Registrants: Read the Notice to the Professions about the standard
The ceremony took place at the Vancouver Maritime Museum, on unceded Coast Salish territory, represented today by the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.
Participating in the ceremony were Registrars and representatives from the 11 health regulatory colleges who have adopted the standard*, along with Registrars of the BC College of Nurses & Midwives and the College of Physicians & Surgeons of BC, who launched an Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, & Anti-Racism Standard of Practice in February 2022.
The following video and photos were taken at the ceremony:
Sulksun (Shane Pointe), proud member of the Coast Salish Nation and the Musqueam Indian Band, and Knowledge Keeper, spoke about the significance of the work and leadership being recognized at the ceremony. Also pictured (left): Joe Gallagher (k’wunəmɛn) of Tla’amin Nation, Principal at Qoqoq Consulting Ltd, who emceed the ceremony.
Registrars and College representatives participated in a blanketing ceremony, where each person received a blanket and headband. Blanket recipients pictured (from left to right): Cameron Cowper (College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC), Susan Paul (College of Physical Therapists of BC), Rick Gambrel (College of Optometrists of BC), Lisa Bannerman (College of Opticians of BC), and Kathy Corbett (College of Occupational Therapists of BC).
Sulksun, Knowledge Keeper, spread red ochre during the ceremony that he invited the Registrars and College representatives to step on. He explained that the ochre “represents the lifeforce of mother earth.” Sulksun talked about the significance of the ceremony: “We’re here today at a very important moment. You answering the invitation to be here signifies your commitment. A commitment to do your best to move forward.”
Registrars and representatives from the 11 BC health regulatory colleges who have adopted the Standard of Practice for Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, & Anti-Racism.
* The 11 BC health regulatory colleges who have adopted the Standard of Practice for Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, & Anti-Racism include: the College of Chiropractors of BC, the College of Dietitians of BC, the College of Naturopathic Physicians of BC, the College of Occupational Therapists of BC, the College of Opticians of BC, the College of Optometrists of BC, the College of Pharmacists of BC, the College of Psychologists of BC, the College of Physical Therapists of BC, the College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC, and the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of BC.
