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Cultural Awareness
Resources for physicians to learn and understand Indigenous-specific cultural safety and humility practices. Learning is a continuous journey!
Building cultural awareness is an ongoing journey, and the following resources support culturally safe and humble care for Indigenous patients. These tools offer foundational learning to help physicians deepen their understanding and strengthen respectful relationships.​
San'yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training Program
San’yas provides foundational training on Indigenous Cultural Safety, anti-Indigenous racism, and the historical and current realities shaping Indigenous health in Canada. The following materials offer physicians a starting point to learn more about the program and its importance in supporting culturally safe practice. The program was developed by the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).
Core ICS Health
The BC Core Indigenous Cultural Safety (ICS) Health course introduces physicians to the impacts of colonization, anti-Indigenous racism, and health inequities, while offering practical strategies to enhance culturally safe care. It is open to anyone working in healthcare and is accredited for up to 10 Mainpro+® or Royal College Section 3 credits.
Core ICS Mental Health
Core ICS Mental Health explores how colonization, systemic racism, and social determinants influence the mental health and wellness of Indigenous peoples, and offers practical strategies for creating safer, more culturally grounded mental health care environments. Designed for anyone working in mental health or substance-use settings—including physicians, clinicians, and support staff—it is accredited for up to 10 Mainpro+® and Royal College Section 3 credits.
Indigenous Canada - University of Alberta Course
Indigenous Canada is a free 12-module online course from the University of Alberta that explores Indigenous histories, contemporary issues, and Indigenous–settler relationships from an Indigenous perspective. The course covers key topics such as the fur trade, land claims, legal systems, environmental impacts, political activism, and contemporary Indigenous life and culture. It is self-paced, includes shareable certification, and is widely recommended for building foundational cultural awareness in healthcare and beyond.
Cultural Saftey Standards in BC
The following cultural safety standards and regulatory resources provide guidance for delivering equitable, culturally safe, and anti-racist care to Indigenous patients. These tools outline expectations for providers and offer practical direction to support ongoing learning and accountability across the health system.
British Columbia Cultural Safety and Humility standard
The HSO 75000:2022 BC Cultural Safety and Humility Standard provides guidance for health organizations to identify, measure, and implement culturally safe, anti-racist systems and services for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. Built on key reports such as In Plain Sight, the TRC Calls to Action, and UNDRIP, the standard outlines governance, leadership, and service-delivery requirements that support cultural safety and humility across the entire care journey. It is available at no cost to BC health organizations and undergoes regular five-year review.
CPSBC Indigenous cultural safety, cultural humility, and anti-racism standard
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC (CPSBC) sets clear expectations that physicians must provide culturally safe, humble, and anti-racist care to Indigenous patients. Its practice standard outlines six core concepts that guide physicians in understanding trauma, addressing the impacts of colonialism and racism, and recognizing the strengths and resilience Indigenous patients bring to their care experiences. CPSBC emphasizes zero tolerance for racism and provides educational videos to support physicians in building these competencies.
BCCNM Indigenous-specific anti-racism resources
The British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM) is committed to confronting Indigenous-specific racism and advancing cultural safety across the health-care system. Guided by Indigenous voices and frameworks, BCCNM provides learning resources, practice standards, reports, and partnerships that support meaningful systemic change. Their work includes educational modules, reflections on cases like Keegan’s story, and initiatives such as the Safe Spaces Project—all focused on accountability, humility, and reconciliation.
Indigenous Cultural Safety/Humility and Anti-racism Learning Resources
The CPSBC Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, and Anti-racism Learning Resources page provides physicians with a comprehensive collection of definitions, core concepts, and curated educational materials to support culturally safe, humble, and anti-racist practice. It includes foundational reports, clinical guides, videos, webinars, readings, and courses that deepen understanding of colonialism, trauma-informed care, racism, and Indigenous health. These resources help physicians strengthen self-reflection, build safer care environments, and improve relationships with Indigenous patients.