Building from Within: Indigenous Health Programs in BC

Across British Columbia, Indigenous-led and Indigenous-informed initiatives are reshaping how health care is delivered, accessed, and taught. Here are some of the programs and organizations doing that work.

First Nations Health Authority (FNHA)

In 2013, the First Nations Health Authority was established as a landmark in self-determined Indigenous health governance. Among its many health programs and services, the FNHA created the First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day program, which connects Indigenous patients with doctors trained in the principles of cultural safety and humility.

UBC Faculty of Medicine

The UBC Faculty of Medicine has an Indigenous MD admissions program and an Indigenous Family Medicine Residency Program. Since 2006, UBC has trained more than 150 Indigenous medical student graduates, with a growing number training in communities across the province.

SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine

The new SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine has an Indigenous stream for admissions, created by and for Indigenous peoples. The curriculum includes Indigenous Knowledge Systems as one of its program pillars and uses case-based learning where cases are developed or co-developed to represent the population of the Fraser Valley, including Elders, Knowledge Holders, and Indigenous physicians and patients, ensuring representation of Indigenous worldviews and culturally grounded approaches to care.

Real Time Virtual Supports

Through coordinated efforts by the Rural Coordination Centre of BC and other organizations, Real Time Virtual Supports (RTVS) increase equitable access to health care and supports for rural and remote First Nations communities in BC. The peer-to-peer services have collectively supported almost 20 000 encounters in 129 distinct rural, remote, and First Nations communities, primarily in Northern and Interior health authorities.

Indigenous Patient Navigators

Indigenous Patient Navigators (IPNs) help to foster an inclusive and culturally safe environment for Indigenous patients who may be hesitant or fearful in seeking care. They help patients navigate the health care system and connect with their cultural needs and traditional healing practices. Efforts to hire and train IPNs have been made across BC. According to an impact report from Vancouver Coastal Health, IPNs supported over 3,600 Indigenous individuals during inpatient stays in 2023.