In honour of June, which is Indigenous History Month, REACH is sharing some of the actions REACH is taking in support of the health and wellbeing of Indigenous people in our community:

In May 2019, REACH established the Indigenous Advisory Committee (IAC), comprised of Indigenous community members, REACH Indigenous Board members and staff, to provide guidance and insight regarding community engagement, policy and program development. The IAC meets monthly.

At REACH’s September 2019 Strategic Planning Session, the Board made Indigenous Health & Wellness their #1 Strategic Priority:
a)     REACH operates on the unceded territory of the Musqueam, Skxwü7mesh, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.
b)     We recognize a history of colonialism and its effects on wellbeing and health care.
c)     We will strive to challenge the oppression of Indigenous people in everything we do.
d)    The spaces and services we operate will be safe and inviting to all people.

To support these goals, we will:
1)     Engage with Indigenous populations in a way that is meaningful to them.
2)     Support internal mechanisms for guidance, advice, & direction on Indigenous issues.
3)     Tailor programs and services to reflect Indigenous community voices and needs.
4)     Build capacity among partners to promote resilience & mental wellbeing in our communities.
5)     Work towards the implementation of the TRC Calls to Action related to Health, particularly numbers 18 through 24.

See the TRC Poster for details.

REACH has developed an Indigenous Self-Identification Poster to promote safety and inclusion, and to support us in developing more culturally-based programs and services for Indigenous community members, and allows for dialogue with Indigenous patients so we gauge their effectiveness.

Since October 2019 REACH started tracking how many patients identify as Indigenous. The medical team facilitated 267 visits for Indigenous persons, representing 9% of total visits. The total number of active patients who self-identified as Indigenous is now 427, representing 8.5% of patients. Indigenous people represent about 10% of total Grandview Woodland population.

In December 2019, REACH, in partnership with Journeys Around the Circle Society, commissioned an Indigenous artist to create a mural for the new Urgent Primary Care Centre. The mural’s installation was delayed by the pandemic, but will be installed soon.

In February 2020, REACH hired an Indigenous Health promoter to work one to one with Indigenous patients, 26 of patients have worked with IHP to respond to other social determinants of health needs.

In July 2020, REACH will start to offer on-line and phone group activities to support the mental health and wellbeing of Indigenous community members during this pandemic.

Share Your Voice to Improve Health Care for Indigenous People

Although the Investigation is not a REACH initiative, REACH supports the investigation into anti-Indigenous racism, in BC’s healthcare system.

Share Your Voice to Improve Health Care for Indigenous People: The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) encourages clients to participate in the provincial investigation into systemic racism in BC’s health system. Mary Ellen Turpel Lafond and her investigative team are requesting voluntary participation in a survey to understand the presence and extent of First Nations, Métis and Inuit (hereafter called Indigenous) specific discrimination in health services in British Columbia. This independent investigation led by Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond is endorsed by the FNHA, the First Nations Health Council and the First Nations Health Directors Association

If you want to share your specific story of experiencing or witnessing racism in the B.C. health care system, you can call and leave a message for the investigation team call toll-free at 1-888-600-3078.

Should you require cultural or mental supports following the completion of this survey, please refer to this list of mental health and wellness supports on the BC government website. In addition to these services you can contact REACH’s Indigenous Health Promoters to support you in completing the survey: JohnSakamoto-Kramer@reachcentre.bc.ca

REACH operates on the unceded territory of the Musqueam, Skxwü7mesh, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. We recognize a history of colonialism and its effects on wellbeing and health care. We will strive to challenge the oppression of lndigenous people. REACH Community Health Centre works towards the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, particularly numbers 18 through 24.

Celebrating Indigenous People's Day

First Nations Health Authority Good Medicine Page

Message from the National Chief, Assembly of First Nations

Celebrations Across Canada!

Healing Tools & Methods with Gerry Oldman

Resources and Educational Material About the History and Cultures of Indigenous Peoples in Canada