Going Deeper

This website provides a short introduction to cultural competency. If you would like to pursue the subject further, here are two excellent resources.

Indigenous Cultural Competency Training is a certificate program developed by the Aboriginal Health Program of the Provincial Health Services Authority in response to the Transformative Change Accord (2007) that recognized the need to increase cultural competency among health professionals. The online training is facilitated by Aboriginal facilitators and addresses a range of topics including: colonization, stereotyping, the context of mental health and addictions, the culture of professionals, and perspectives on wellness and healing. The curriculum is applicable to all service providers working with Aboriginal people. Several different programs are available—starting with a minimum of six hours to be completed over eight weeks. The program is available through Interior Health.

Cultural Safety Education is also available as a series of three online modules through Thompson Rivers University. These modules provide a background and context to reflect on Aboriginal peoples’ experience of colonialism as they relate to health and health care. Although designed for health care professionals, these modules are valuable to all disciplines.