The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, grounded in the principles of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, recognizes that the harm caused by racial inequality and bias is not confined to history—it persists daily.
The establishment of this recognition date honours the tragic events of 1960 in Sharpeville, South Africa, when police opened fire on peaceful protesters opposing apartheid "pass laws," resulting in the deaths of 69 individuals.
On March 21, we reaffirm our commitment to the global elimination of racial injustice and systemic discrimination. All peoples are deserving of dignity and the opportunity to live safely and thrive, including equitable access to healthcare. Island Health is committed to Cultural Safety and Cultural Humility and to addressing systemic and Indigenous-specific racism and the ongoing impacts of colonialism in order to provide a culturally safe, inclusive, healthy and respectful healthcare environment.
Join Island Health's Indigenous, Black People of Colour (IBPOC) Employee Resource Group
The IBPOC Employee Group is a network of Island Health employees who identify as belonging to racialized communities. The group comes together to connect, share experiences and inform/influence organizational priorities. By coming together, we hope to celebrate diverse perspectives, share resources, foster open and ongoing dialogues and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion across our organization. Virtual meetings take place every 6 weeks. If you are interested in joining, please email dei@islandhealth.ca and we'll ensure you're invited to the next meeting.
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At Island Health, we are committed to addressing racism within the organization as a key priority reflected in our 2020-25 Strategic Framework. Patients, clients and families will be the centre of their own health and care. We will support all people to participate as fully as they can in their health and care journey within a system free of discrimination, racism and stigma. People will be enabled through timely and open access to their health information. We understand people are experts in their own lives, and we will support them in making choices about their care and respect their right to determine the level of risk they accept.
The Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility and Anti-Racism Standard , which The BC College of Nurse and Midwives (BCCNM) developed in collaboration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC (CPSBC), is a new practice standard in response to the In Plain Sight report and as part of BC health profession's pledges to reduce experiences of Indigenous-specific racism and to make our health system more culturally safe for Indigenous peoples.
COURSE – IH ICS Learning Journey Course – see ICS Learning Journey
From Bystander to Ally explores how you can become an effective ally when witnessing racism, bias, or stereotypes directed toward an Indigenous person. This is a one-hour per week, 6-week, self-paced and facilitated eLearning course, designed to build awareness and skills about how to identify and interrupt racism at the interpersonal level.
Prerequisite: San'yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Core Health Training - ICS (Online) and Blanket Exercise or Relational Practice, It Begins with You!