Anti-Racism Awareness Week in British Columbia was May 27 to June 2, 2024, an opportunity to celebrate and learn about our province’s diverse culture, and also name and stand together against systemic racism that persists. PHSA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Indigenous Health and Sanya’k̓ula teams collaborated for the first time to present an online discussion panel titled "Towards a collective vision of an anti-racist health care environment in B.C."
Missed the event? Watch the recording.
Attended by over 200 people, the panel was co-moderated by Dr. Neila Miled, director, DEI and Michael Glendale, lead facilitator for Indigenous-specific anti racism for Indigenous Health, and featured Wedlidi Speck, Knowledge Keeper and Hereditary Chief, Dr. Anas Manouzi and Dr. Tatiana Sotindjo, both from BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre and Jagbir Kaur, BC Cancer. Topics discussed included panelists’ experiences with racism and discrimination in their practice as health-care providers, ways to work with patients, families and each other to achieve anti-racism, and how every care experience provided is a message to the community.
Screenshot of the panelists at the virtual event.
"It was such an immense pleasure organizing this event in collaboration with Indigenous Health and Sanya’k̓ula, and co-moderating it with Michael," Neila shared. "This conversation was necessary to open honest, genuine and reflective space so we can learn and unlearn. With the wisdom and expertise of all panelists and participants, I hope we opened hearts and minds and renewed our commitment to do our best. This work is hard work and heart work, for which we are all responsible – we each have a role to play in creating an anti-racist environment for all."
Michael agreed – "It was such a meaningful experience being received with such grace and acknowledgement by the DEI department," he said. "As an Indigenous person navigating the world, it isn't too often you are in the company of people that truly understand the 'thee eat,' or the truth, of Indigenous communities."
"Hosting with Neila was equal parts a temporary unburdening and respite from that stigma. Her team, and our panel, stood strong in their knowledge, 'Kwum kwum stun shqwalowin' (make up your mind to be strong) and had a chance to show what 'Nuts a maht' can look like when we gather together. It was empowering to have a conversation about implementing antidotes to secure Indigenous cultural safety, cultural safety, diversity and better outcomes for Indigenous and non Indigenous people alike," he adds.
"We need more 'shelters-from-the-storm' like this and need to support one another in these times of system transformation. Thank you to everyone who took part in this event."
Learn more
Continue your journey to anti-racism by exploring other learning opportunities from the Indigenous Health and DEI teams, including: