Cultural safety and cultural humility are foundational in the provision of fair and equitable health care. Because family doctors are the first point of contact for many individuals seeking health care, it is crucial that our members understand how their values, assumptions, beliefs, and privileges may affect the therapeutic relationship with patients. As outlined in the BC government’s In Plain Sight Report (2020), Indigenous patients are specifically impacted by widespread systemic racism, stereotyping, and discrimination under colonialism, including residential schools, Indian hospitals, the Indian Act and its policies, and the Sixties Scoop and Millennial Scoop.
The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) defines cultural safety "as an outcome based on respectful engagement that recognizes and strives to address power imbalances inherent in the health care system. It results in an environment free of racism and discrimination, where people feel safe when receiving health care." Cultural safety supports respectful communication and patient-provider interactions, and positively improves health and clinical outcomes.
This outcome begins with self-reflective practice, which is known as cultural hum
To support your ICS learning, we have compiled a list of courses and professional development opportunities. - updated August 2025
Learning Resources
San’yas BC - Core ICS Health
- Online facilitated modules, about 8-10 hours of learning over 8 weeks, with a certificate of completion.
- Course fee is $325
- This 2-credit-per-hour activity has been certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada for up to 20 Mainpro+® Certified Activity credits.
- https://sanyas.ca/courses/british-columbia/core-ics-health
San’yas BC - Bystander to Ally: Allyship in Action (BTA)
- Designed for people who have completed one or more San’yas Core Training courses and wish to enhance their skills in speaking out and advocating for social justice for Indigenous people.
- Pre-requisite – successful completion of a San’yas Core Training in the past 5-years with a minimum time lapse of 6-months since completing a San’yas Core Training.
- Course fee is $325
- This 2-credit-per-hour activity has been certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada for up to 10 Mainpro+® Certified Activity credits.
- https://sanyas.ca/courses/post-core-training-advanced
UBC CPD - Continuing Professional Development
- Various accredited courses on cultural safety and trauma-informed care.
- https://ubccpd.ca/learn/learning-activities?2-categoryid=[65]
JCC Community-Based Experiential Learning Sessions
- The Joint Collaborative Committees (JCCs) in partnership with Len Pierre Consulting and local First Nations have been hosting community-based experiential learning sessions for physicians since 2022. Physician sessional time, a meal, and mileage exceeding 50km one-way is provided by the JCC.
- Calendar of upcoming events in different communities across BC: https://www.collaborateonhealthbc.ca/events/
- Overview of learning sessions
UBC Faculty of Medicine Learning Circle
- An ongoing video conference and webinar initiative that provides educational opportunities to health care workers and professionals in First Nations communities. The knowledge comes from your sharing of successful health practices and interventions, speakers, researchers and other experts.
- https://learningcircle.ubc.ca/
CPSBC Learning Resources
- Resources related to the CPSBC practice standard on Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility and Anti-racism.
- https://www.cpsbc.ca/about/corporate/cultural-safety-and-humility/learning-resources