Leading up to June 21st, 2023 – National Indigenous People’s Day – we acknowledge that at Sun City Physiotherapy we are privileged to work, play, and live on the traditional and unceded territory of the Syilx (Okanagan) Peoples.

The College of Physiotherapists in BC recently integrated Standard 21 – Indigenous Cultural Safety, Humility and Anti-Racism to the Practice Standards, which focuses on 6 core concepts. In 2020, a report called In Plain Sight was released outlining discrimination and prejudice in the health care system against Indigenous Peoples in B.C. This report was eye-awakening to the importance of declaring each clinic’s commitment to culturally safe care, and treating with humility. We also encourage everyone to look into this report and ways in which ones own bias may come into play as clients, patients, citizens, and practitioners.

As practitioners, we deeply value the one-on-one relationships – this includes embracing cultural differences. This is particularly important for individuals who may have had negative experiences with healthcare providers in the past, such as discrimination or bias. By understanding factors, such as social determinants of health, and addressing them in care, our practitioners can improve outcomes for their clients and contribute to a more equitable healthcare system in British Columbia.

On that note, being culturally safe is an integral aspect of healthcare, and we stand by this statement at Sun City Physiotherapy. Culturally safe care entails creating an environment that is respectful, welcoming, and culturally appropriate for our clients of all backgrounds. We believe that clients from all cultures deserve to feel comfortable and receive effective care to meet their unique needs, while feeling safe and respected. We hope you feel a deep trust in our Physiotherapists, RMTs, kinesiologist, dietician, counsellor, and client care team. Fostering this model of care can also help reduce disparities in healthcare outcomes.

Skylar Brown, MPT has been passionate about working in Indigenous communities since 2016 when she started working with the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity, and Recreation Council of BC (ISPARC) as an athletics coach. She has also had the opportunity to do a placement at the Central Interior Native Health Society and at Takla Lake First Nation, North of Fort St. James. She was a member of the UBC Physical Therapy’s Initiatives for Indigenous Advocacy Committee throughout her physiotherapy degree, and continues to advocate for Indigenous rights in her day-to-day life. She is most excited to be coaching Team BC’s Athletics team at the North American Indigenous Games in Halifax this summer.