On July 27, the CDBC and 10 other BC Health Regulatory Colleges gathered with an Indigenous leader, knowledge carrier and witnesses for an intimate traditional ceremony to mark their commitment, action and sincerity in being better allies to Indigenous people who have endured many prejudices, as clearly exposed in the In Plain Sight report.
As strongly encouraged in Recommendation #1 of the report, this group of Colleges took on the issuing of an apology statement and how they concretely intend to be part of the change. The Joint Statement and video can now be consulted.
The ceremony took place at Spanish Banks in Vancouver on the unceded, ancestral, traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples and was informed by Indigenous culture: an anchor sculpture as a symbol of the signatory Colleges being grounded in this important moment of commitment; and a mountain with a human form in the distance the official witness of the ceremony.
The statement is one of many reconciliation actions the CDBC Board is undertaking to strengthen its allyship with Indigenous communities in BC and its ongoing commitment to ensuring cultural safety and humility (CSH) within all aspects of professional regulation. The CDBC’s reconciliation actions will continue to be guided by Indigenous leaders, knowledge carriers, and representatives on the BC Public Advisory Network. More information about our full commitment can be found here.
The CDBC is also encouraging registrants to do their own learning and strive to change their practices to be in line with CSH principles. One of CDBC’s role includes supporting registrants as they look to further their knowledge and understanding and develop allyship with historically marginalized communities. To this end, the CDBC will communicate ongoing reconciliation actions and information on our website and CSH Q&A.