September 29, 2025
Walking Together for Truth and Reconciliation
On September 30, Canadians are encouraged to observe the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation across the country. However, recognizing the colonial history is not a one-day event. This day signals an opportunity for deep reflection, honouring, recalling and learning. Personal stories and hard truths of the residential school system are shared with tears and pain, but also an incredible amount of strength, resilience and determination. Reconciliation is a life-long commitment and we each have the choice to take action in our own journey of unlearning and cultural humility.
Historically, Indigenous Peoples have not had the same opportunities as non-Indigenous settlers in Canada. For hundreds of years, devasting harm was inflicted in the name of colonization.
Protections under the legislation and acts, such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act), support Indigenous Peoples to exercise their unique and inherent rights to land, family, culture, language, well-being and more. Canada enacted the federal United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act in June 2021, incorporating it into domestic Canadian law. ‘Welcoming the fact that Indigenous Peoples are organizing themselves for political, economic, social and cultural enhancement and in order to bring to an end all forms of discrimination and oppression wherever they occur.’1 This act is not intended to grant additional rights but to ensure fair and equitable rights.
The In Plain Sight report clearly established that systemic Indigenous-specific racism is prevalent in British Columbia's healthcare system, leading to poorer health outcomes for Indigenous Peoples due to discriminatory practices. In 2024/25, Island Health 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 and discrimination. This training provides employees with the tools necessary to support them in fulfilling their obligations under the Policy.
The Path to Reconciliation
After the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, the late Honourable Senator Murray Sinclair famously urged action by saying, "We have described for you a mountain, we have shown you the path to the top. We call upon you to do the climbing.” He defined reconciliation as establishing a relationship of mutual respect, emphasizing that it is an ongoing process.
Dawn Thomas (Aa ap waa iik), Vice President of Indigenous Health and Rural & Remote Operations writes:
“I imagine this mountain, and it fills my heart to see colleagues navigating the work of climbing this mountain and choosing one’s own way. On this journey, we occasionally gather to support one another and appreciate the beauty around us, in recognition of the original stewards who cared for these lands before us. There are obstacles, like streams and large rivers, many of which are impassable, and it is in these places that the foundational work begins in working together to build bridges.
Often, when speaking to non-Indigenous colleagues here at Island Health, I talk about the ‘backpack’ that we wear when we come to work. It’s a heavy backpack, filled with colonization, with racism, the experiences that we’ve had over the years, the mistrust, and the poor treatment. It’s heavy, and we come in with that, and seeing our non-Indigenous colleagues take some of this heaviness to support Indigenous Health initiatives makes that backpack feel lighter.”
La’lum ‘ uthut ch (Take care)
Building Relationship
Island Health C.A.R.E. values play a crucial role in working together. In the video below, Island Health’s Michael Fountain, Director of Digital Media Productions and Dean Wilson, Indigenous Health Manager discuss allyship and the importance of Cultural Humility: Allyship full conversation (15 minutes)
Reconciliation is the process of establishing and maintaining mutually respectful relationships. Walk alongside Indigenous colleagues and communities on this journey. This is everyone's shared history in this country. Commit to action within your teams and as individuals. Speak up, stand together and create safe and welcoming spaces that uphold the rights and dignity of all Indigenous people who enter through the doors of any Island Health facility and beyond.
Healing in the context of Canada's colonial history is deeply rooted in the commitment to addressing Indigenous-specific racism and honouring the histories, stories, experiences and perspectives of Indigenous Peoples.
Learn more about events, initiatives and resources here
Self-Care for Indigenous Employees
This day is not easy. It requires consistent effort in systems that often fail to acknowledge certain truths, which can feel heavy, isolating or draining.
Counselling support for Indigenous employees of Island Health:
- Nancy Kinyewakan (McFarland) Email: kccshome@gmail.com
Phone: 250-661-5552 - Meli Louie, Counsellor, MA.RCC Email: mmlouie84@gmail.com
Phone: 250-857-9134
Island Health General Counselling Supports
https://intranet.islandhealth.ca/safety/wellbeing/Pages/efap.aspx
The KUU-US Crisis Line Society 250-723-4050
Provides 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: 1-866-925-4419
The 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: 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.
Learn more about the four practices of presence, inner listening, belonging, and authenticity by Joyce Leppington.
1 "UN General Assembly, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly, A/RES/61/295, 2 October 2007".