PRINCIPLES:

We are guided in these efforts by the principles outlined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which establishes the individual and collective rights of Indigenous peoples.

TRUTH & RECONCILIATION:

In accordance with the ideals of reconciliation as laid out by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission:

• We acknowledge the strengths and resilience of Indigenous peoples, who have suffered and continue to suffer under colonial and postcolonial policies.
• We believe that to work respectfully with Indigenous nations, we need to be aware of the collective impact intergenerational trauma continues to have on Indigenous children, youth, adults and families.
• We are committed to learning and understanding our shared histories to create relationships rooted in mutual understanding and respect.
• We challenge ourselves to check and unlearn ingrained assumptions.
• We recognize that we still have a lot to learn about Indigenous laws, governance systems, cultural identities, languages, worldviews, and contributions to Canada’s history, and strive to be open, receptive, and respectful in our learning.

CALLS TO ACTION:

BCSS can assist in addressing some of the Calls to Action released by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and will work to advance the following from the UNDRIP ‘Health’ section:

• We call upon the federal, provincial, territorial, and Aboriginal governments to acknowledge that the current state of Aboriginal health in Canada is a direct result of previous Canadian government policies, including residential schools, and to recognize and implement the health-care rights of Aboriginal people as identified in international law, constitutional law, and under the Treaties.
• We call upon the federal government, in consultation with Aboriginal peoples, to establish measurable goals to identify and close the gaps in health outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities, and to publish annual progress reports and assess long term trends. Such efforts would focus on indicators such as: infant mortality, maternal health, suicide, mental health, addictions, life expectancy, birth rates, infant and child health issues, chronic diseases, illness and injury incidence, and the availability of appropriate health services.
• We call upon those who can effect change within the Canadian health-care system to recognize the value of Aboriginal healing practices and use them in the treatment of Aboriginal patients in collaboration with Aboriginal healers and Elders where requested by Aboriginal patients.

BCSS has begun this work by including the ideals of calls to action 19 and 22 in the development of Strengthening Families Together – Indigenous  (SFT-I) – a  mental health education program inspired by Aboriginal healing practices, created for families and friends who have a loved one with mental illness.

BCSS will soon begin training facilitators to deliver the SFT-I program to Indigenous communities throughout BC.