Indigenous Health & Wellness Strategy

Did you know that Interior Health (IH) has had an Indigenous Health & Wellness Strategy for more than 20 years? Every five years, the strategy is refreshed and revitalized through engagement with Indigenous partners throughout the Interior region and key IH leaders.

The IH Indigenous Health & Wellness Strategy (IHWS) 2022-2026 is a guiding document for our more than 30,000 IH staff and health-care providers to improve the cultural safety of our services and Indigenous health and wellness outcomes.

The IHWS 2022-2026 presents an ambitious vision for the future. Success stories highlighted in the strategy reflect a strong spirit of collaboration within IH and across partner organizations, and a shared commitment to taking action toward a culturally safe and equitable health care system.

Related Links:

• Read the IHWS 2022-2026
• Listen to Interior Voices Podcast S4E5 as former CEO Susan Brown and former IH Board Chair Doug Cochrane discuss the strategy.
• Subscribe to Indigenous Partnerships News to receive news, updates, and be notified of future engagement opportunities.

The IHWS 2022-2026 is organized into four focus areas, with its foundation rooted in recommendations from the In Plain Sight Report, and principles and findings within the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls: Calls to Justice.

1. Commitment to cultural safety and humility: All recipients of care feel safe and supported; IH care sites and work environments have a representative workforce and are free of racism and discrimination.

2. Strengthening partnerships and shared decision making: Partnerships are strengthened with all Indigenous Peoples, communities, and Nations; shared decision making with Indigenous partners and Nation self-determination informs a culturally safe system of care.

3. Health equity through shared accountability: Indigenous health and wellness outcomes and health equity are improved by advancing key initiatives identified by, and in collaboration with, Indigenous partners.

4. Person, family, and community wellness: Indigenous health and wellness outcomes and health equity are improved by advancing key initiatives identified by, and in collaboration with, Indigenous partners.

We are dedicated to working alongside Indigenous partners to understand and address the recommendations within these pivotal documents and strengthen our commitment to transform our system.

Related Links:

• In Plain Sight Report (IPS)
• Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)
• Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) and DRIPA Action Plan
• Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG)

Since the launch of the IHWS 2022-2026, IH has been working to advance 25 key initiatives within the four focus areas -- commitment to cultural safety and humility, strengthening partners and shared decision making, health equity through shared accountability and person, family and community wellness. This mid-point update highlights progress made and outlines our focus for the remainder of the strategy.

As we look to the future, our commitment to advancing reconciliation and improving health and wellness outcomes for Indigenous Peoples remains steadfast. This strategy has laid a strong foundation for addressing Indigenous-specific racism, strengthening cultural safety, and building relationships with Indigenous communities.

Eradicating Indigenous racism and achieving meaningful progress requires dedicated leadership and collective efforts from all IH portfolios, senior leadership, and frontline staff.

The conclusion of this strategy in 2026 will be an opportunity to reflect on progress, celebrate successes, and revitalize our vision for the future. While we are proud of what we have achieved so far, we recognize that much work remains ahead. Together, we will continue to build momentum and advance meaningful change for Indigenous communities.

Related Links: Read the IHWS 2022-2026 Mid-point Update (May 2024) Subscribe to Indigenous Partnerships News to receive news, updates and more.

We encourage you to explore this site to learn about successful collaborations with Indigenous partners, progress we’ve made over the past three years and our focus over the remainder of the strategy.

Want to be kept informed about progress and key partnership activities?

Want to inform future Indigenous priorities and activities?

Want to participate in engagement opportunities related to Indigenous health care and services?

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Related Links:

• Visit to Complete the IHWS survey.
• Subscribe to Indigenous Partnerships News to receive news, updates, and be notified of future engagement opportunities.

We will: 1.1 Implement the Indigenous Human Resource Plan to address racism, support diversity and inclusion for Indigenous employees, and increase the Indigenous workforce 1.2 Develop and deliver Indigenous Cultural Safety Education 1.3 Create culturally and psychologically safe environments and welcoming spaces 1.4 Enhance communication opportunities and tools 1.5 Support community-led research and knowledge translation 1.6 Explore with Indigenous partners how IH can support the implementation of the health related TRC Calls to Action, B.C. DRIPA, the MMIWG Calls to Justice and In Plain Sight Report Recommendations Outcome: All recipients of care feel safe and supported; IH care sites and work environments have a representative workforce and are free of racism and discrimination.

Learn more about our progress:

• Read section 1. Cultural Safety and Humility of the IHWS Mid-Point Progress Update (May 2024)

We will: 2.1 Evolve Nation-IH LOUs to engage, plan, and support Nations to achieve successful outcomes for their key priorities 2.2 Enhance community relationships and engagement opportunities 2.3 Strengthen Métis partnerships 2.4 Leverage the Interior Region Partnership Accord and Tripartite Committee on First Nations Health (TCFNH) to advance concerns and reduce barriers 2.5 Develop an urban Indigenous health framework 2.6 Respond to public health and environmental crises and emergencies in partnership Outcome: Partnerships are strengthened with all Indigenous Peoples, communities, and Nations; shared decision making with Indigenous partners and Nation self-determination informs a culturally safe system of care.

Learn more about our progress:

• Read section 2. Strengthening Partnerships and Shared Decision Making of the IHWS Mid-Point Progress Update (May 2024)

We will: 3.1 Develop a data governance framework with Nation partners to enhance information and reporting to support planning and service delivery 3.2 Utilize a quality improvement approach to reviewing select IH programs and services prioritized by Indigenous partners 3.3 Enhance the Indigenous patient voice in quality improvement work 3.4 Enhance primary and community care resources 3.5 Support Elders to remain close to home 3.6 Improve discharge planning and transitions in care 3.7 Advance digital health initiatives to increase access to services Outcome: Indigenous health and wellness outcomes and health equity are improved by advancing key initiatives identified by, and in collaboration with, Indigenous partners.

Learn more about our progress:

• Read section 3. Health Equity Through Shared Accountability of the IHWS Mid-Point Progress Update (May 2024)

We will: 4.1 Incorporate traditional wellness and spiritual health into service delivery as requested by patients 4.2 Support the Indigenous Patient Navigator program 4.3 Support healthy communities by partnering on upstream promotion and prevention initiatives 4.4 Align harm reduction services with trauma-informed and culturally safe practices 4.5 Continue to implement and evaluate the Indigenous Mental Wellness Plan 4.6 Improve cancer care Outcome: People have equitable access to physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness services that honor the holistic strengths of Indigenous Peoples.

Learn more about our progress:

• Read section 4. Person, Family, and Community Wellness of the IHWS Mid-Point Progress Update (May 2024)