Indigenous wellness supports

Indigenous wellness workers

Providence has a team of Indigenous Wellness Liaisons. This team support patients who identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit). The team members are Indigenous themselves. They provide holistic wrap around and navigational support, including:

• Day-to-day consultation and help navigating the health system.
• Health literacy. They help find information and services to make health-related decisions. They then help patients understand and use this information.
• Cultural interpretation. This helps staff members understand important traditional practices, teachings or beliefs.
• Arranging access to cultural practices, including traditional medicines and the All-Nations Sacred Space.
• Connecting patients to community resources and supports, including Elders and Knowledge Keepers.
• Discharge planning and family support
• Help to submit and navigate complaints
• Availability in specialized care areas:
  • Emergency Department
  • Road to Recovery
  • Pregnancy & Birthing
  • Long-Term Care
  • Bridge to Kidney Transplant

Indigenous peer support

Peer support workers offer emotional support to Indigenous patients and their family members. They can also advocate for patients. The workers have personal experience with challenges that Indigenous patients might face. These could include racism, trauma, substance use, and/or physical or mental health issues. The Indigenous Wellness Liaisons can connect Indigenous patients with Peer Support Workers.

Providence Health Care commits to building a better relationship with Indigenous Peoples. We aim to close the gap in health and social disparities in British Columbia.

This includes making it safer and easier for people to tell us if they identify as Indigenous. Knowing how you identify helps us provide you culturally safe and relevant services.

Want to learn more about why we ask these questions or to provide feedback about your experience?

Contact the Indigenous Wellness and Reconciliation Team

Do you have a comment, concern or compliment about the services at Providence Health Care? If so, we suggest you first talk to those involved in your care or the care of your loved one.

If you do not feel comfortable doing this, we strongly encourage you to file a formal complaint. You can do this with the Patient Care Quality Office.

We will ask if you feel comfortable identifying as Indigenous. If you do, we will ask if the Indigenous Wellness and Reconciliation (IWR) team can be involved in investigating your complaint. The IWR team can offer advocacy and cultural support throughout the complaint process.

We know it is not easy to make a formal complaint. Your feedback — positive or negative – helps us improve the quality of our services.

You can make a complaint by phone or in writing by email or letter. 

Address letters to:
Patient Care Quality Office
Providence Health Care
1081 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6