​The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) and Health Standards Organization (HSO) are excited to announce their continued partnership advancing cultural safety and humility throughout the Canadian health care system.

The British Columbia (BC) Cultural Safety and Humility standard, published in 2022, was the first of its kind in Canada. It was developed by Indigenous thought leaders, patient partners, Knowledge Keepers, clinicians, and academics. The standard helps governing body members and organizational leaders identify, measure, and achieve culturally safe systems and services that better respond to the health and wellness priorities of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples and communities.

Building on the work of the BC standard, the FNHA will support HSO's development of a new national standard that will ensure that the principles of cultural safety and humility are practiced meaningfully across the country. A national standard will give Canadian health service providers a framework to design, implement, and evaluate culturally safe systems that ensure Indigenous people are treated with dignity and respect, and have access to culturally safe care and services.

Named The Winds of Change, this new national cultural safety and humility initiative will expand on learnings already gathered through the BC Standard. Through engagement, HSO and FNHA will learn from and work alongside First Nations, Inuit, and Métis individuals, families, and communities to support widespread calls to advance cultural safety and humility, address Indigenous-specific racism and harmonize the design and delivery of care with the rights of Indigenous Peoples. The term Winds of Change was inspired by Elder Gerry Oleman, co-chair of the BC Cultural Safety and Humility Technical Committee, while working on a video project explaining the significance of the Standard.

“FNHA is honoured to support the development of a national Cultural Safety and Humility standard. Building on the rich, Indigenous-led process behind the BC standard, we are pleased to share our learnings and contribute to the ongoing dialogue. This collaboration ensures representation from all provinces and Nations, guiding a standard that safeguards Indigenous people and aims to support Indigenous individuals, families, and communities in achieving and enjoying the highest level of health and wellness." - Monica McAlduff, Chief Nursing Officer, FNHA.

“The creation of the Indigenous-led BC Cultural Safety and Humility standard signals to that racism in any health system, anywhere in Canada, is unacceptable and must be eradicated. Continuing our work to create a national standard will help to make the health system safer for First Nations and Indigenous people across the country. The First Nations Health Authority and Health Standards Organization are proud of the standard's potential to contribute to meaningful systemic change." - Dr. Nel Wieman, Chief Medical Officer, FNHA.

“We are incredibly honoured and privileged for the opportunity to collaborate with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples to ensure the standard is Indigenous-led, distinctions-based, and reflective of the health and wellness priorities of communities from coast-to-coast-to-coast." - Vishal Jain, HSO's Director for Cultural Safety and Humility and Environmental Sustainability.