UNBC programs receive funds to fight against racism in healthcare

PRINCE GEORGE—The National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health (NCCIH) and the Health Arts Research Centre (HARC) are receiving new funding to address racism in health care.

The Hearts-based Education and Anticolonial Learning (HEAL) healthcare project is a joint initiative between (NCCIH) and (HARC) that will provide education focused on providing better health care outcomes for indigenous people. The two-year project will promote cultural safety and recognize Indigenous knowledge and anti-colonial approaches in health service provision. The goal is to eliminate racism anti-Indigenous racism in health systems.

“We need to remember that achieving optimal health has always involved both the arts and sciences. We need to remember that transformational change, including much-needed anti-colonial change in health care, requires shifts in both feelings and thoughts. It’s about head and heart work. We’re excited to put arts and humanities to work in the service of cultural humility and anti-oppression,” said Dr. Sarah de Leeuw, Canada Research Chair, Humanities and Health Inequities.

Indigenous Services Canada will be providing $ 1 million in contributions over the next two years.