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Indigenous care concerns & complaints


​Sharing​ your Indigenous ide​ntity 

BCCNM is committed to ensuring Indigenous Peoples feel safe and respected when taking part in our complaints process, as part of our commitment to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism and discrimination in the B.C. health-care system. If you are sharing information about a negative experience with a nurse or midwife, we invite you to let us know if you identify as Indigenous to Canada (First Nation, Inuit, Metis).

Why we ask you to share your Indigenous identity

We understand that being asked to disclose Indigenous identity can cause a lot of discomfort and uncertainty for Indigenous Peoples due to the historical and ongoing racism experienced within health service and governmen​t institutions. BCCNM is committed to advancing the health and well-being of Indigenous clients and families in BC.

By asking you to self-identify as Indigenous, BCCNM staff will be better equipped to support your participation in the complaints process in a culturally safe, trauma-informed and person-led and centered way.​

How it works 

When you share health-care experiences with BCCNM, we will ask if you identify as Indigenous to Canada (First Nations, Inuit, Métis) at the start of our communication. You don't have to answer if you don't want to—it's completely your choice. We won't ask you to prove your Indigeneity. If you change your mind, you can update your answer at any time.

Making the process culturally safe​

​We are committed to respecting the unique rights, needs, and traditions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people. We pledge to honour your beliefs, customs and values with cultural humility. If you are Indigenous and taking part in our complaint process, here's what you can expect: 

  • Our staff will welcome your advice on how we can make the process more comfortable and respectful of your cultural practices and values. 

  • You can share your information in the way that works best for you, whether it's in writing, by phone, through a video meeting, or in person, in some cases. 

  • You can invite advocates, knowledge keepers, elders, or family members to support you during the process. 

  • You can tell us the best way to exchange information with you, including timelines and cultural considerations. 

  • You will have the chance to share what information is important for us to include when reviewing your concern, like family, community, and cultural values. 

  • We will invite your feedback on how we can improve cultural safety in our work. 

  • Indigenous decision-makers will be part of the Inquiry Committee panel.

Why BCCNM is committed to addressing and eradicating racism and supporting Indigenous voices in health-care

The report In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous-Specific Racism and Discrimination in BC Health Care showed how widespread Indigenous-specific racism is in B.C.'s health-care system. It demonstrated the serious harm this racism causes to the health outcomes and experiences of Indigenous people and called for urgent action to address and eradicate it.

Since the report was released, BCCNM has been working to address Indigenous-specific racism in our own processes. Our newest plan, Redressing Harm to Indigenous Peoples in the Health-care System, shares our updated commitments, including:

We are committed to listening, learning, and making meaningful changes to address Indigenous-specific racism in health-care.

​Privacy

Ensuring confidential​ity 

BCCNM is governed by provincial legislation, including the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, which dictates how we collect, use, disclose, access, or share personal information. This ensures confidentiality for any individual submitting feedback to the college. We will also apply the First Nations Principles of Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession (OCAP) to ensure First Nations data sovereignty is upheld.

Collecting information about a person’s Indigenous identity helps BCCNM design and provide culturally relevant programs and resources to improve the experience for Indigenous Peoples when engaging with BCCNM. Our goal is to ensure BCCNM’s complaints process is responsive to the needs and values of Indigenous Peoples and that barriers to addressing harms in the health care system are removed.

Please note the information on this page will be updated as we learn from feedback to ensure our complaints process is responsive and continuously improving to meet the needs of Indigenous Peoples. ​​​

900 – 200 Granville St
Vancouver, BC  V6C 1S4
Canada

info@bccnm​.ca
604.742.6200​
​Toll-free 1.866.880.7101 (within Canada only) ​


We acknowledge the rights and title of the First Nations on whose collective unceded territories encompass the land base colonially known as British Columbia. We give specific thanks to the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ speaking peoples the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) and sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations and the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh-ulh Sníchim speaking Peoples the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), on whose unceded territories BCCNM’s office is located. We also give thanks for the medicines of these territories and recognize that laws, governance, and health systems tied to these lands and waters have existed here for over 9000 years.

We also acknowledge the unique and distinct rights, including rights to health and wellness, of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples from elsewhere in Canada who now live in British Columbia. As leaders in the settler health system, we acknowledge our responsibilities to these rights under international, national, and provincial law.​