Module 1: Introduction to Cultural Safety in Healthcare for Indigenous Peoples
Module 1 introduces learners to the history, geography, and health of Indigenous people in Canada, highlighting the enduring impacts of historical injustices such as the Indian Act, Indian Residential Schools, and the 60s Scoop. It also familiarizes learners with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and emphasizes the holistic health dimensions—emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual—specific to Indigenous communities. Through case studies, learners explore principles of anti-racism, strength-based approaches, trauma-informed care, and culturally safe clinical practices.
Module 2: Indigenous People, History & Health
Module 2 begins by introducing learners to the 7 Sacred Mi’kmaw teachings taught by Elder Paul and their application in clinical settings. It then provides an in-depth explanation of common terms and concepts relevant to Indigenous people in Canada, including understanding statements like “unceded territory”. This module explores how the cultural heritage, geographic factors, historical events, and trauma of Indigenous peoples contribute to current health conditions and social determinants of health.
Module 3: Indigenous Peoples’ Perspectives on Health Issues
Module 3 features insights from Indigenous knowledge holders on the health of Indigenous peoples, focusing on structural health determinants. It examines the impact of historical colonization on current health, emphasizing intergenerational trauma and chronic conditions. Concepts like Two-Eyed seeing and cultural humility are introduced to enhance healthcare providers’ ability to collaborate effectively with Indigenous communities.
Module 4: Building on the Strengths of Indigenous Knowledge
Module 4 delves into the concepts of hurt and pain from Indigenous viewpoints, focusing on healing. It examines real-life scenarios involving adverse outcomes for Indigenous individuals, including research data on ear, headache, and throat pain among First Nations children and youth. The module revisits concepts like cultural humility and cultural safety, reflecting on their application in scenarios such as Brian Sinclair’s tragic experience in the emergency department.
Module 5: Clinical Strategies for Indigenous Health
Module 5 provides learners with practical tools to understand various health insurance models for Indigenous peoples. It introduces recommendations for care practice, emphasizing the recognition of intergenerational impacts from residential schools as a root cause of health and social inequities. Learners are introduced to the ACHH Initiative’s FIRST approach (Family, Information, Relationships, Safe Space, Two-Eyed Seeing, Treatment, and Follow-up Plan), a community-identified trauma-informed framework for professionals to implement in practice.
Module 6: Learning How to Integrate New Knowledge Into Practice
Module 6 presents learners with two case studies to practice identifying respectful ways to address racism in healthcare and to effectively inquire about health beliefs and behaviours. It encourages learners to apply trauma-informed and anti-racism approaches using tools acquired from previous modules. This module provides a simulated real-life scenario where learners can integrate new knowledge into their care practices.
