One of the primary aims of our Strategic Plan is to create respectful and supportive learning and work environments for everyone here at UBC Faculty of Medicine.
This year, the Graduate and Postdoctoral Education office are developing an exciting new program called Healthy Environments in Academic Research Teams (HEART). HEART aims to equip you and your team with the knowledge and tools you need to create a genuinely healthy and inclusive research environment for everyone.
They want to hear your thoughts on what makes a healthy research environment in the Faculty of Medicine and, most importantly, how the HEART program can support lab teams to shape positive change without adding undue burden on already stretched capacity. They are running a series of focus groups for faculty, research staff and trainees throughout November.
It would be great to see as many people as possible involved in shaping such an important initiative.
You can also contact Leigh Spanner, Coinvestigator & Key Study Contact atleigh.spanner@ubc.ca or Dr. Michael Hunt, Principal Investigator & Professor of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine at michael.hunt@ubc.ca.
Office of Respectful Environments, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Register for upcoming events and find the latest resources
October 2022 Newsletter | Office of Respectful Environments, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Welcome to our first newsletter
Since the Office of Respectful Environments, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (REDI) was established by Dean Dermot Kelleher in 2020, the team has grown and expanded the services that we provide across the Faculty of Medicine, in support of the Faculty’s strategic plan goal to transform our culture through our working and learning environments.
As part of these efforts, we are excited to present this first edition of our newsletter, which will be sent monthly. The newsletter is another way to strengthen our connection to our community, raise awareness of events, and share information relevant to our ongoing efforts to support change.
It Starts with Us: ‘Rock the Boat’: Reimagining Supervisory Relationships
Join us on Tuesday, October 25th from 12:00-1:30 PM for "It Starts With Us: Rock the Boat". This interactive session will demonstrate a resource using Research-based Theatre (RbT) that will illustrate the challenges that arise from the inherent power dynamics in supervisory relationships and will prompt dialogue about how to foster healthy and respectful supervisory relationships and improve wellbeing for all involved parties.
Join us virtually on Friday, November 4th, 2022 from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (PST), for “IBPOC Voices: A Conversation with Dr. Adrian Yee”. IBPOC Voices is a new monthly series led by Dr. Neila Miled the Anti-racism Advisor. It is an opportunity to meet and have a conversation with guests who identify as Indigenous, Black and people of color. In this session we will have a conversation with Dr. Adrian Yee, the Director of Curriculum, within the Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME) Program.
Transformative Change According to Doug Kelly: Creating the BC First Nations Health Authority
Join us virtually on Wednesday, November 9th, from 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm, for “Transformative Change: Creating the BC First Nations Health Authority” with Grand Chief Doug Kelly – Cheam First Nation. In this third session of the Indigenous Speaker Series, we will learn about the work and leadership of GC Doug Kelly in the creation of the First Nations Health Authority, and his experiences and insights as the former Chair of the First Nations Health Council.
EDI champions and Allies Series: Dr. Olusegun Oyèdélé
In this edition of the EDI champions and Allies, meet Dr. Olusegun Oyèdélé Co-chair of the EDI Committee, Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences.
Recording: We Are Children of Indian Residential School Survivors: Awakening Our Spirits, Our Purpose & Our Confidence
Watch the recording for the first session of this year’s Indigenous Speakers’ series: "We Are Children of Indian Residential School Survivors: Awakening Our Spirits, Our Purpose & Our Confidence.”
Thank you for joining us on Wednesday, November 9th, 2022 from 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm (PST), for “Transformative Change: Creating the BC First Nations Health Authority” with Grand Chief Doug Kelly – Cheam First Nation. In this third session of the Indigenous Speaker Series, we learnt about the work and leadership of GC Doug Kelly in the creation of the First Nations Health Authority, and his experiences and insights as the former Chair of the First Nations Health Council. GC Kelly reflected on what we can learn about the self-determination of BC First Nations, what’s needed to strengthen the work in relation to Truth and Reconciliation, and how health and academic systems can better plan and respond to the unique needs of First Nations in BC.
Join us virtually on Wednesday, November 9th, 2022 from 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm (PST), for “Transformative Change According to Doug Kelly: Creating the BC First Nations Health Authority” This virtual event is presented by the Indigenous Speakers Series.
Ts’i:m (Grand Chief Doug Kelly) – Cheam First Nation, Former President & Tribal Chief for Health – Stó:lō Tribal Council, Former Chair – First Nations Health Council, Former Member of the Political Executive – First Nations Summit (Bio)
Ts’i:m is a grandfather to six healthy, beautiful, and intelligent granddaughters and two handsome and bright grandsons. Married to Sherry for twenty-six years – together they raised a blended family of five daughters and one son. Doug and Sherry reside on the Soowahlie reserve in Chilliwack, B.C. In December 2020, Doug retired from elected politics after serving twenty years as an elected Tribal Chief for the Stólō Tribal Council. For 12-years, Doug Kelly served the STC as President. After 12.5 years, in December 2020, he also stepped down from the BC First Nations Health Council. Doug Kelly served the FNHC as the Chair from June 2010 to July 2019. In 2010 and 2011, he led the tripartite negotiations that resulted in the creation of the First Nations Health Authority. The FNHC is responsible for overseeing the new First Nations health governance structure and the implementation of the Tripartite First Nations Health Plan. Grand Chief Doug Kelly has also served as Soowahlie Chief for eight years. He also served on the First Nations Summit Political Executive for four years. He served as the founding Chair of the BC First Nations Fisheries Council for two years. Doug was a founding member of the BC Treaty Commission for one year. Mr. Kelly has 13 years of experience in senior management positions, including senior leadership roles with the First Nations Chiefs’ Health Committee, Stó:lō Nation, and Stó:lō Tribal Council. Doug also led the development of Stó:lō Health, Child Welfare, and other programs including fisheries and economic development.
Moderator
Derek K Thompson – Thlaapkiituup, Indigenous Advisor
Description
The creation of the First Nations Health Authority in October 2013 marked an historic period for BC First Nations. This important milestone meant that First Nations in BC took another bold step forward towards self-determination, and away from the control of the Department of Indian Affairs. First Nations could develop and administer health services in their communities based on their own unique needs and cultural understandings, and not be dictated to by an outdated paternalistic system. The pillars of our own independence, our own teachings, our own ingenuity, and our own vision replaced our codependency on a system that was founded on racism, oppression, assimilation, and indifference. We could truly move forward in a deliberate effort to bring about transformative change in the health status of our people and communities.
The four pillars of this transformative shift include the First Nations Health Authority, the First Nations Health Council, the First Nations Health Directors Association, and the Tripartite Committee on First Nations Health. Each pillar is designed to change and improve the way BC First Nations administer, govern, acquire, and support the health programs and services in their communities. The First Nations Health Authority has established itself as an important and necessary advocate to improve healthcare systems and services for BC First Nations.
The journey to arrive at this momentous paradigm shift was no easy feat. The work to build consensus amongst 203 BC First Nations was difficult and ever-changing, and the effort to negotiate an agreement with federal and provincial counterparts was often met with rigid mandates and unrealistic expectations. It takes a certain measure of shrewdness, an intensity of poise, and a confidence of unwavering and unapologetic leadership to navigate these political arenas, and Grand Chief Doug Kelly was exactly the trailblazer we needed.
This important and timely conversation will focus on the work and leadership of GC Doug Kelly in the creation of the First Nations Health Authority, and highlight his experiences and insights as the former Chair of the First Nations Health Council. GC Kelly will reflect on what we can learn about the self-determination of BC First Nations, what’s needed to strengthen the work in relation to Truth and Reconciliation, and how health and academic systems can better plan and respond to the unique needs of First Nations in BC.
Topic: Transformative Change According to Doug Kelly: Creating the BC First Nations Health Authority
Date: Wednesday, November 9th, 2022
Time: 12:00 – 1:30 pm PST
What Will I Learn?
You will learn about the unique perspectives of First Nations leadership in the development of the BC First Nations Health Authority.
Continue Learning
“The time to make things happen is now. The time to seek out our individual and shared power is now.”
Learn more about REDI’s Indigenous Initiatives here
Discover more about REDI’s Indigenous Initiatives Speakers Series here
“UNIDAS” (together in unity), by Mexican Artist Stephany Carrillo.
Written by Catalina Parra
In October we celebrate Latin American heritage month and the contribution that the Latinx community has made to Canada. It is often difficult to encompass the diverse identities of the Latinx diaspora in one sole definition. Latinx Canadians often bring with them the distinct cultures of their country of origin, while grappling with the colonial connotations of terms such as “Hispanic” “Latino” and “American”.
New discourse in the region is intensely pushing to reclaim the depth of its marginalized Indigenous and African identity. Many “Latinx” are seeking to remove themselves all together from the labels ascribed to the region since 1492. Currently, there is an ongoing re-emergence of the term “Abya-Yala” (From the Indigenous Kuna language of Panama) as a way to refer to what we know today as “The Americas” in an effort to emphasize that the entire continent – prior to colonization- was a vast network of trading and inter-cultural relationships amongst Indigenous peoples from Patagonia to Alaska.
It is important to note that there are also Latinx who are comfortable with the concept of Latinidad, while there are others who, despite having Latinx heritage, may never identify themselves as such but embrace a nation-state sponsored identity.
The Latin American region is complex as its people are; and thus, defining Latinidad is a current ongoing conversation that often sparks debate and invites to critically address the colonial history of the region.
Parts Known and Unknown: Derek Thompson – Thlaapkiituup Talks About the Bits and Pieces of a Meaningful Conversation
Um. Let’s see. I’m writing this bit of narrative as I’m devouring a Banh Mi sandwich. It’s delicious. As I am chomping, slurping and thoroughly enjoying my meal I’m struck by the absence and impact of Anthony Bourdain. For me, and right from the start, he was like a friend that was altogether strange and familiar. And since his passing, and as much as he did in life, the meals that I enjoy these days are the meals that I enjoyed as a child. My Gran’s homemade duck soup or my Great-Grandmother’s barbeque sockeye salmon, and she would make the cedar stick herself and fasten a whole fish on it and cook over an open fire. My Mom’s fresh bread enjoyed with a bowl of beef stew made from scratch, or the egg, bacon and cheese sandwich wrapped in foil that I would demolish on the way to school on the 3-hour return trek from Nitinaht Lake to Port Alberni. This makes me think about the spaces where we all feel welcome – the kitchen table that you grew up around, your Grandmother’s home, a favorite restaurant, a community picnic, a smorgasbord, holiday meals – and it is food. Tony said, “When someone cooks for you they are saying something. They are telling you about themselves – where they come from, who they are, what makes them happy.” So, bring your favorite meal, pull up a virtual chair, and we’ll talk about the bits and pieces of a meaningful conversation, and chew on the many and layered flavors of telling the truth and reconciling for the future.
Anthony Bourdain said, “Perhaps wisdom is realizing how small I am, and unwise, and how far I have yet to go.” So, what we’ll strive to learn about is our potential for curiosity and compassion for and with each other.
The Office of Respectful Environments, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion is proud to present a new REDI Empower Hour series featuring our team of advisors: Robyn Campol, Dr. Neila Miled and Derek Thompson. This fresh and informative series will be spontaneous and conversational in its approach to talk about issues that are timely and relevant. These sessions will also highlight the importance of showing up to these necessary conversations with presence and persona – so bring your very best of curiosity and energy!
Each session will also provide an opportunity for the participants to engage in a Q & A or to simply to reflect on the merits of the conversations. This exciting series will be offered monthly, with each advisor presenting their own one hour session.
Walk the Walk: The journey from “I am not racist “to I am anti-racist”
How do we move from awareness and self-reflection to actions to eliminate racism in our community? How do we transition from passive “not racist” to “anti-racist”? How do we change attitudes and behaviours so that we dismantle barriers and change systems of oppression? How can we work together towards an environment that fosters inclusion and reflects and embodies principles of diversity and equity and to support culture change across our faculty? In this session we will open the conversation on different strategies to engage deeply with anti-racism and become true allies and anti-racists. In this journey of learning and unlearning, we are all invited to embrace our vulnerabilities and discomfort, admit the fear and commit to move forward equipped with a strong sense of responsibility, curiosity and resilience.
Facilitator: Dr. Neila Miled – Anti-racism Advisor
You will learn about the difference between not-racist and anti-racist and strategies to become an ally.
Facilitator: Dr. Neila Miled, Anti-Racism Advisor, Office of Respectful Environments, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
What is the REDI Empower Hour
The Office of Respectful Environments, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion is proud to present a new REDI Empower Hour series featuring our team of advisors: Robyn Campol, Dr. Neila Miled and Derek Thompson. This fresh and informative series will be spontaneous and conversational in its approach to talk about issues that are timely and relevant. These sessions will also highlight the importance of showing up to these necessary conversations with presence and persona – so bring your very best of curiosity and energy!
Each session will also provide an opportunity for the participants to engage in a Q & A or to simply to reflect on the merits of the conversations. This exciting series will be offered monthly, with each advisor presenting their own one hour session.
Thank you for joining us on Monday, October 17, 2022 from 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm (PST), for “Diagnosing Truth, Healing and Conciliation Inside BC Health Care Systems” with Dr. Danièle Behn Smith, Deputy Provincial Health Officer, Indigenous Health. In this second session of the Indigenous Speaker Series, we listened to Dr. Behn Smith’s unique perspective on how health and academic systems can best approach the work in relation to the processes of Truth and Reconciliation.
Thanks for joining us on Monday, October 17, 2022 from 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm (PST), for “Diagnosing Truth, Healing and Conciliation Inside BC Health Care Systems” This virtual event is part of the Indigenous Speakers Series.
Dr. Danièle Behn Smith, Deputy Provincial Health Officer, Indigenous Health (Bio)
Dr. Danièle Behn Smith has been working to support Indigenous health in the Office of the Provincial Health Officer since 2015. Dr. Behn Smith works alongside Dr. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer. Dr. Behn Smith provides independent advice and support to the Ministry of Health on Indigenous health issues. In support of the ministry’s strategic agenda, Dr. Behn Smith works in meaningful partnership with Indigenous collectives, communities and organizations to advance wellness and disrupt colonial practices and policies. Dr. Behn Smith is Eh Cho Dene (Big Animal People) of the Fort Nelson First Nation in B.C. with French Canadian/Métis roots in the Red River Valley. Since getting her Doctor of Medicine from McMaster University and completing residencies at the universities of Ottawa and Manitoba, Dr. Behn Smith’s career has spanned the country and the globe. She has practiced rural medicine in remote and First Nations communities across Canada. She was a board director for the Indigenous Physicians Association of Canada, the director of education for the University of Alberta’s Indigenous Health Initiatives Program and the site director of the University of British Columbia’s Aboriginal Family practice residency. Since 2014, she has transitioned to a functional medicine practice. Functional medicine is a complex systems biology approach to family practice that resonates with Indigenous approaches to health and healing. Dr. Behn Smith was also the host of “Medicine Woman”, a 13-episode television series which explored traditional healing practices in ten countries on six continents.
Moderator
Derek K Thompson – Thlaapkiituup, Indigenous Advisor
Description
Dr. Danièle Behn Smith has been working to support Indigenous health in the Office of the Provincial Health Officer since 2015. She works alongside Dr. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer, and provides independent advice and support to the Ministry of Health on Indigenous health issues. In support of the ministry’s strategic agenda she works in meaningful partnership with Indigenous – First Nations, Inuit, Métis – collectives, communities and organizations to advance wellness and disrupt colonial practices and policies.
Coupled with her impressive career as a physician and advisor, Danièle has been a strong advocate to strengthen our identity and purpose as Indigenous peoples. She possesses a unique ability to truly walk in both worlds as a proud and dignified Indigenous woman and as a health professional. Dr. Behn Smith continues to inspire us all in our efforts to be radical and ingenious as we disrupt colonial systems all in an effort to improve our rightful place in this province and country.
In recent decades, federal and provincial governments have mandated a range of formal commissions to identify the need and urgency for health organizations, and other systems, to reconcile, adjust and create an appropriate and just response to better serve the unique needs of Indigenous peoples. In general, this work is intended to come to terms with an individual and shared commitment to redress the relationship between Indigenous peoples and Canadians. All of the associated reports, action plans, legislation, and frameworks are currently being implemented across British Columbia with a vigor not seen in any other era to correct the relationship between those Indigenous – BC First Nations peoples who are from here and those who arrived here as colonial settlers.
This timely and relevant conversation will consider what’s been done and what still needs to be done to truly come to terms with the truths of the past and present, healing with each other, and creating appropriate frameworks for conciliation and reconciliation. Dr. Behn Smith’s unique perspective will offer insight into how health and academic systems can best approach the work in relation to the processes of Truth and Reconciliation.
Topic: Diagnosing Truth, Healing and Conciliation Inside BC Health Care Systems
Date: Monday, October 17, 2022
Time: 12:00 – 1:30 pm PDT
What Will I Learn?
You will learn about the unique perspectives of how to best approach the work in relation to the processes of Truth and Reconciliation.
Continue Learning
“The time to make things happen is now. The time to seek out our individual and shared power is now.”
Learn more about REDI’s Indigenous Initiatives here
Discover more about REDI’s Indigenous Initiatives Speakers Series here
Loading…
