Taking action to dismantle Indigenous-specific racism
On Nov. 30, 2020, Health Minister Adrian Dix released findings from an independent review into the extent of Indigenous-specific racism in BC’s health-care system. The findings released in this report, titled In Plain Sight, showed the devastating impact Indigenous-specific racism has on health outcomes for Indigenous people in B.C. The release of the In Plain Sight report underscored the urgent need for all partners in the health-care system to take swift and decisive action to dismantle the systemic racism that has led to such poor health outcomes for First Nations, Métis and Inuit (Indigenous) Peoples.
Update: Jan. 5, 2023: Some registrants and members of the public have raised concerns about BCCNM's reliance on the In Plain Sight Report, given the recent questions about one of its key authors, Dr. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond.
The In Plain Sight team was comprised of a number of recognized Indigenous advisors and leaders. While Dr. Turpel-Lafond was the chair of the investigation, the investigation as a whole is larger than her. The report and its recommendations are a summation of the experiences, stories and facts of thousands of Indigenous people highlighting their experiences within the B.C. health care system. The information, data, facts and recommendations from the report are not contestable. Indigenous specific racism is prevalent throughout B.C.'s health care system and it has its origins in the province's history of settler colonialism.
It is important for us to continue to recognize and honour the contributions of these individuals to the report, and to use their shared knowledge and guidance to improve the health care system. The work stands on its own merit and we value the evidence it has provided as we work to meet our obligations and commitments as a regulator, to minimize the harms caused to Indigenous people by systemic racism within the B.C. health care system.
BCCNM's commitment
In 2017, the previous B.C. nursing and midwifery colleges were four of 22 B.C. health professions to
pledge their commitment to making our health system more culturally safe for First Nations and Aboriginal people. BCCNM continues this commitment.
On May 11, 2021, BC's four largest health regulators
issued an apology to the Indigenous people and communities who have experienced racism while engaging with these health regulatory colleges and with the health professionals they regulate.
On May 11, 2022, to mark the one-year anniversary of the apology, the four colleges
published an update on their progress to date on the commitments laid out in the apology.
BCCNM's Commitment: Constructive disruption to Indigenous-specific racism amongst B.C. Nurses and Midwives reflects our commitment to enacting the recommendations put forth in the
In Plan Sight report and lays out a roadmap for BCCNM to follow as we work to make the health-care system culturally safe.
A new practice standard for all nurses and midwives
Another part of our work is a new practice standard for all nurses and midwives, Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, and Anti-Racism. This new standard came into effect
Feb. 25, 2022.
This standard was developed in collaboration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia (CPSBC). BCCNM is also collaborating with CPSBC on learning resources to support practitioners as this standard comes into effect.
The Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, and Anti-racism Practice Standard Companion Guide was created to help nurses and midwives understand and apply the new practice standard. It incorporates Indigenous experiences to help nurses and midwives learn about culturally unsafe care and reflect on their own practice.
We encourage nurses and miwives to visit the learning sections of the website for resources and tools to support them on their journey (LPN, NP, RM, RN, RPN).
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- 2021 news
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- 2020 news
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