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Northern and Indigenous Health

Healthcare Excellence Canada (HEC) supports the advancement of First Nations, Inuit and Métis priorities and culturally safe and equitable care in three program areas: Truth and Reconciliation, First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Northern health system partnerships, and addressing systemic racism and supporting cultural safety.

A closeup of a person’s Mukluks while they’re walking on an ice road.
Topics
  • First Nations, Inuit and Métis priorities
  • Cultural Safety
  • Health workforce
Audience

  • Healthcare leader

  • Point of care provider

  • Quality or safety improvement lead

How our work starts from within

We believe that to support the system change needed to advance First Nations, Inuit and Métis priorities and culturally safe and equitable care, we must first start from within.

Starting from within means building internal capacity and shared understanding that allows us to engage meaningfully with First Nations, Inuit and Métis governments, organizations and communities.

Only then can we work outwards to build and nurture relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis governments, organizations and communities through partnerships rooted in reciprocity, respect and trust.

Three concentric circles showing: Partnering with First Nations, Inuit and Métis in the center, Truth and Reconciliation in the middle, and Addressing systemic racism and improving cultural safety on the outside.

We recognize the diversity of experiences, knowledge and perspectives among First Nations, Inuit and Métis, and the importance of a distinctions-based approach. HEC continues to seek opportunities to partner with First Nations, Inuit and Métis governments, organizations and communities to collaborate on shared priorities. Building meaningful relationships requires respect and the development of trust over time. We are committed to building the capacity of HEC staff and leadership to engage meaningfully with First Nations, Inuit and Métis as we work together to support lasting improvements in healthcare safety and quality.  

Our approach: Supporting First Nations, Inuit and Métis priorities and culturally safe and equitable care

First Nations, Inuit and Métis have inherent rights to health and wellness in Canada, yet many experience poorer health outcomes compared to other people. These outcomes are the result of inequities in access to safe, high-quality care connected to the ongoing impacts of colonization and systemic racism.

Culturally safe healthcare shows respect for culture and identity. It incorporates a person’s needs and rights, and is free of discrimination. Equitable care is about meeting every individual’s health needs, no matter their age, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, ability or other factors. Both concepts recognize that racism, discrimination and bias create power imbalances that prevent certain people and groups from getting the care they want and deserve.

There is incredible strength and resilience among First Nations, Inuit and Métis governments, organizations and communities. There is also a deep understanding of what is required to improve health and wellness, and access to high-quality, culturally safe care. That’s why HEC works to support the healthcare safety and quality priorities of First Nations, Inuit and Métis through partnerships rooted in reciprocity, respect and trust.

Our three program areas

Truth and Reconciliation

In 2022 we developed and began implementing our Truth and Reconciliation Action Plan to provide a roadmap for the work the organization will undertake in 2022-26 to live up to our commitments and continue developing our ability to help shape a future where everyone in Canada has safe and high-quality healthcare.

Truth and Reconciliation Action Plan

Learn more

Partnering with First Nations, Inuit and Métis

We continue to broaden our circle by building and nurturing respectful and reciprocal relationships and partnerships with First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Northern health system leaders, governments and organizations (including the Canadian and Northern Remote Health Network and the FNHMA-HEC First Nations Health Leaders Network).

We continue to seek opportunities to partner with First Nations, Inuit and Métis governments, organizations and communities to collaborate on shared priorities.

Supporting system change: Addressing systemic racism and improving cultural safety

As a result of our internal work and partnerships, we're beginning to support the healthcare system to address racism experienced by First Nations, Inuit and Métis through the Cultural Safety Design Collaborative. From spring 2023 to winter 2025 the collaborative will support non-Indigenous health service delivery organizations to address systemic racism experienced by First Nations, Inuit and Métis and improve cultural safety in the healthcare system.

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