Field Schools for Transformative Reconciliation in Health Professional Education and Practice
Project Goal
Leverage systems change with the goal of addressing systemic racism and promoting health equity for Indigenous People and Communities on Northern Vancouver Island.
Principles
Led by Indigenous Knowledge Holders
Learning from the land,
Sharing stories, being in relationship with each other and community members
Being in a ceremony together
Focused on strengths and community self-determination.
Project Objectives
Develop and implement Indigenous-led land-based programs inclusive of Indigenous community standards and protocols.
Stimulate systemic change addressing racism in healthcare.
Create a culture of, and example of, working towards transformative reconciliation in research, education, administration and practice.
Foster culturally safe research collaborations and mentorship opportunities between FN community members, students, faculty and health professionals.
Our History
In 2007 we offered the first field school with Wuikinuxv Nation for Nursing students as part of an elective in NIC BsN curriculum. NIC continues to offer this opportunity to BSN Students. Alternating between the Dzawada’enuxw and Wuikinuxv FN Communities.
In 2019 we expanded the field schools through a research grant from the College Community Social Innovation Fund, in a project called Raising student nurses. We expanded our partnerships to include the Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k:tles7et'h’, FN and the Huu-ay-aht FN and we took first year students into the community. For more information see here ( Link to CARTI Raising Student Nurses Page)
2022-2025 Also funded by CCSIF The Learning Our Way project built on both our previous projects and (at the request of partner communities) offered the field schools specifically to health practitioners and others providing social services to First Nations people. We expanded our partnerships to include the Kwakiutl First Nations.
