Building Bridges through Indigenous Cultural Safety Training at SCHC 

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June 27, 2025

Written By Srishti Ratnu, Fund Development Coordinator

This year, SCHC staff embarked on a transformative journey through Indigenous Cultural Safety (ICS) training, hosted by the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council (IPHCC). With two workshops completed and two more to come in the fall, the initiative is fostering deeper understanding, empathy, and allyship across departments. 

The first workshop was a structured, presentation-based session that provided a foundational understanding of Indigenous history and its ongoing impact on health outcomes. Participants explored the legacy of colonization, including the Indian Act, residential schools, and the Sixties Scoop. The session also addressed systemic racism in healthcare, unconscious bias, and the importance of trauma-informed care. Through powerful storytelling and reflection, staff were encouraged to examine their own assumptions and commit to culturally safe practices. 

The second workshop took a more experiential and participatory approach. Staff from across SCHC gathered in a circle, a traditional Indigenous format symbolizing openness and equality, to explore allyship in Indigenous Traditional Healing and Wellness. A key highlight was the introduction of the Model of Wholistic Health and Wellbeing (MWHW), represented through colored threads laid on the floor. Each quadrant, spiritual (North/white), emotional (East/yellow), mental (South/red), and physical (West/black) invited participants to reflect on how they care for their whole selves. This exercise fostered vulnerability, connection, and a deeper appreciation for holistic wellness within the SCHC community. 

Facilitators also introduced the Four Sacred Medicines: Cedar, Sweetgrass, Sage, and Tobacco, and discussed how traditional Indigenous healing practices can complement Western medicine. The session concluded with insights into Indigenous ceremonies and community roles, and a Q&A that allowed participants to deepen their understanding in a safe, respectful space. 

These workshops are more than Indigenous Cultural Safety Training, they are steps toward reconciliation, healing, and building a culturally safe environment for all.