A reflection on the second annual First Nations Quality Improvement and Safety Network Forum from FNHA’s Parm Poonia.
The FNHA Community Accreditation and Quality Improvement (CAQI) Program successfully hosted its second annual First Nations Quality Improvement and Safety (QIS) Network Forum on June 13 – 16, 2016 on the ancestral territories of Squamish and Lil’Wat First Nations (Whistler, BC). The theme for this year’s Forum was, “Strengthening Wellness and Care in our Communities.”
Developed in partnership with Network members and a team of diverse and talented learning partners, the Forum offered 34 community-based accreditation and quality improvement leads a platform to connect and share leading ideas, wise practices, relevant resources and meaningful outcomes.
Throughout the Forum, Network members had opportunities to participate in local First Nations traditions and teachings. The cultural practice of making pine needle baskets encouraged the sharing of individual and collective stories, allowed for deeper reflection on learning and helped to ground ideas into actions, and at the Squamish Lil’Wat Cultural Centre, community members provided a guided tour with activities for the group.
Over the four days, the Forum sessions supported and furthered the Network’s goals for providing safe care, improving the quality of services and promoting active leadership. Participants engaged in and supported some courageous conversations about challenging health systems, competing service priorities, disconnected resources and the complex realities of providing care in community.
Coming together to better understand trauma-informed care and lateral violence is not easy; to experience one’s own history of hurt or harm as well as discuss, witness and share with others is always a challenge. The group’s ability to be professionally comfortable with what, at times, was so personally uncomfortable was a testament to the care and connection of this Network. The honesty, resiliency and compassion offered and received was humbling and significant.
The Network continues to move forward as champions of quality and safety, committed and rooted in culture, community strength and Indigenous wellness. This year’s QIS Forum was described as “informative, engaging, inspiring, empowering and fun.”
FNHA looks forward to hosting another gathering next year.