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Posted On: September 24, 2025
On Behalf of Indigenous Health & Rural and Remote Operations
Truth and Reconciliation Week in Canada is a national, federally supported event, usually held in the week leading up to September 30, which is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.
Island Health is committed to embedding cultural safety and humility in healthcare services and addressing systemic racism. In 2024/2025, it adopted an Anti-Racism and Discrimination Statement and launched an Indigenous-Specific Anti-Racism and Discrimination Policy, including mandatory learning hub e-learning for employees to recognize and respond to Indigenous-specific racism.
Efforts to improve the Indigenous employee experience include a voluntary self-identification feature in the Employee Self-Serve portal, enabling better understanding of the Indigenous workforce and supporting commitments like increasing Indigenous representation in leadership and maintaining anti-racism training. The Indigenous Employee Experience (IEE) team provides tailored support, promotes a "speak up" culture, and works to transform workplace policies and culture.
Learn more about Indigenous Health services like Indigenous Liaison Nurses and Indigenous Patient Navigators here.
Through our social media channels Island Health has been sharing perspectives from the cultural families of the Coast Salish, Nuu-chah-nulth, Kwakwaka’wakw, and Métis communities on Truth and Reconciliation. Watch the video playlist here.
Without truth, there can be no genuine reconciliation.
The work of understanding Cultural Safety takes courage to be fully present in the moment, even when it's uncomfortable and honouring your own journey, holding space for others, and accessing the transformative
power of practising humility.
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Island Health encourages everyone to attend planned activities at their sites or in communities and add events not listed below in the comments.
Virtual
Lunch and Learns – National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation – Sept 23 – 27, 2024
Victoria
Victoria General Hospital - Sept 25, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pmNational Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Pop Up Event
Orange Shirt Day – University of Victoria - Sept 29, 11:00 am – 12:15 pmRaising of the Survivor’s Flag for the first time at a permanent memorial site in the Quad
Sept 27, 11:00 am – 3:00 pmSept 28, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
South Island Powwow – Sept 30, 10:00 amRoyal Athletic Park, 1014 Caledonia Ave, Victoria, BC
Duncan
Community Film Screening – Sept 24, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pmJoin the screening of Penelakut: Returning to the Healing Circle on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, from 7:00–9:00 PM at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre, 2687 James Street, North Cowichan, BC, V9L 2X5
Performance – Sept 26, 6:30 pmCowichan Performing Arts Centre, 2687 James Street, North Cowichan, BC, V9L 2X5.
Every Child Matter March – Sept 30, 9:00 am – 12:00 pmDowntown Duncan, starting at Charles Hoey Park, 1 km walk. Guest Speaker, Performances, Food Trucks, and more.
Oct 1, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Nanaimo
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Sept 30, 10:00 am – 12:00 pmNanaimo Regional General Hospital, will be holding a small ceremony to honour the day and our indigenous partners on the front lawn. Refreshments will be served.
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What Else Can We Do?
- Cultural Safety and Humility Learning and Support Resource Guide:
This guide is designed to support your ongoing learning and reflection on how to create safer, more respectful, and inclusive environments for everyone.
- Wear Orange or wear an orange ribbon:
Go to your local craft store and create an orange ribbon to wear. After the discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves at residential schools across the country, orange ribbons have begun to signify acknowledgement of unmarked graves, and honour survivors. This is a small but bold action you can take to confront residential school denialism. - Read the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- Buy Indigenous to Buy Canadian: buy from legitimate Indigenous-owned businesses. Use the CCIB’s directory to find certified Indigenous businesses and organizations.
- Pick one of the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and pursue the prescribed action.
- Read Indigenous authors, watch Indigenous media, and support Indigenous artists.
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Indigenous Resources & Supports
Nancy Kinyewakan (McFarland)
Email: kccshome@gmail.comPhone: 250-661-5552Meli Louie, Counsellor, MA.RCC
Email: mmlouie84@gmail.comPhone: 250-857-9134
Island Health General Counselling Supports
The KUU-US Crisis Line Society 250-723-4050Provides a First Nations and Indigenous specific crisis line available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, toll-free from anywhere in British Columbia.Indian Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419The crisis line is available 24 hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of a residential school experience.Hope for Wellness Helpline: 1-855-242-3310, or chat online at www.hopeforwellness.ca.The Hope for Wellness Helpline offers immediate help to all Indigenous peoples across Canada in the following languages: Ojibway, Cree, Inuktut, English and French. They provide 24/7 culturally grounded assessment, referrals, counselling and support in times of crisis, including suicide intervention.