“Racism is not just hurtful words or ideas – in health care, it leaves Indigenous peoples suffering without proper care. In the moment when you need health care, it is too much of a burden to put on the backs of First Nations peoples, having to deal with this racism. That is not compassionate, it is cruel and painful.” – Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President, Union of BC Indian Chiefs, In Plain Sight.
It is our collective responsibility to address these harms and to support justice and well-being for people who are First Nations, Métis and Inuit. As the fundraising arm of one of Canada’s largest faith-based health care organizations, St. Paul’s Foundation is committed to contributing meaningfully to this work.
St. Paul’s Foundation stands shoulder to shoulder with Providence Health Care in our commitment to embed Truth and Reconciliation in everything we do.
Our team has embraced our responsibility to develop an understanding of the past, and its ties to the present. We do this so we can contribute meaningfully to Indigenous Wellness and Reconciliation being woven into the very fabric of Providence.
One hundred per cent of the team at St. Paul’s Foundation has completed Indigenous Canada coursework, along with cultural safety training on BC’s colonial history and how it has impacted First Nations people. We are deeply appreciative of the teachings by Jenn Smith from the Tlowitsis Nation. Her gentle, yet powerful approach of teaching through storytelling engaged both our hearts and minds.
We have the responsibility to help make things right by investing in a health care system – free of racism – where Indigenous patients and their families feel safe receiving care.
Providence is committed to delivering culturally-safe care; advancing and improving health and wellness outcomes for Indigenous Peoples across BC; and being accountable to the Indigenous patients receiving care in its hospitals and long-term care homes.
St. Paul’s Foundation is actively fundraising to meet our $5 million goal in support of priorities determined by the Indigenous Wellness and Reconciliation team at Providence.
Donor giving supports care teams in their work to make Providence sites a place where Indigenous patients can access the care practices they need to heal in comfort and safety. Donor support will ensure that Indigenous patients at St. Paul’s Hospital and at PHC sites across BC benefit from a strong team of Indigenous Wellness Liaisons; a nursing professor driving essential research; staff trained in, and sensitive to, the tenets of Truth and Reconciliation, and so much more.
Giving Opportunities:
- Expanding the Indigenous Wellness Liaison (IWL) team: donors are helping Providence build its approach to culturally safe care, through the lived experiences, knowledge, and compassion of the IWL team
- Director of Cultural Safety Development: we appreciate the compassion and generosity of every donor who supports the recruitment of highly valued people, like the Director of Cultural Safety Development
- Support for Elders and Knowledge Keeper Services: donor generosity will fund identity-affirming support that Elders and Knowledge Keepers can give to Indigenous patients and front-line caregivers
- Regionally focused staff education on First Nations: donor support will integrate Indigenous cultural safety into the approach of every staff member at St. Paul’s Hospital and PHC’s 16 other sites
- Culturally safe environments and spaces: donors can help transform Providence sites into places of comfort and cultural safety for Indigenous patients
- Nursing professorship in Indigenous Cultural Safety: donor support will accelerate research and education initiatives to transform nursing care for Indigenous patients in BC and beyond
We need donor support to deliver on our promise to Indigenous patients, partners, and Nations.
You have a unique opportunity to support reconciliation in action here at Providence.
Click here to learn more about the IWR giving opportunities. Please join us.
