The Winds of Change
Health Standards Organization (HSO) is proud to announce The Winds of Change, a new national cultural safety and humility initiative.
Over the next three years, HSO will continue to learn from and work alongside First Nations, Inuit, and Métis individuals, families, and communities to support wide-spread calls to advance cultural safety and humility, address Indigenous-specific racism and harmonize the design and delivery of care with the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
A Learning Journey Towards the National Standard of Canada for Cultural Safety and Humility
HSO partners with FNHA to develop the British Columbia Cultural Safety and Humility standard
2017HSO partners with the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), the first province-wide health authority of its kind in Canada, to explore the creation of a Cultural Safety and Humility standard for health and social service organizations in British Columbia.
“The winds of change are here”
The Winds of Change is part of HSO’s declaration of commitment to advance cultural safety and humility and address Indigenous-specific racism in health and social services across Canada. As part of this commitment, HSO will continue to collaborate with Indigenous individuals, families, communities, and organizations to create and implement the standard, including by recruiting an Indigenous-led Technical Committee overseeing the development of the National Standard of Canada for Cultural Safety and Humility.
The Winds of Change initiative will include
- A new Indigenous-led National Standard of Canada for Cultural Safety and Humility (CAN/HSO 75001:2026)
- A suite of cultural safety and humilityand anti-racism implementation tools and resources
- Preparation and testing the standard for use by health and social service organizations across Canada.
The name of the new project has been inspired by Elder Gerry Oleman, Co-Chair of the British Columbia Cultural Safety and Humility Technical Committee. “I tell people, the winds of change are here,” says Elder Oleman. “Some of you might just feel a small little breeze, but it’s here.”
Elder Gerry Oleman, Co-Chair of the British Columbia Cultural Safety and Humility Technical Committee
How To Get Involved
QUOTES
What People Are Saying About the Winds of Change
“For 18 months, the Canadian Indigenous Nurses Association spoke to our First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities. We reviewed Indigenous-led reports, inquiries, investigations, and strategic plans – all calling for urgent change. CINA is thrilled that HSO has heard this call to action and will work extensively with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples from coast-to-coast-to-coast to create an Indigenous-led National Standard of Canada for Cultural Safety and Humility.”
“At HSO, we understand that people-centred care must encompass all dimensions of safety—physical, psychological, and cultural. Winds of Change reflects our deep and ongoing commitment to working with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners to develop standards that ensure health care is safe and respectful for everyone. We are honoured to continue this vital work and to collaborate with those dedicated to a more inclusive and equitable health system.”
“The creation of the BC Cultural Safety and Humility standard signaled to BC’s health system that racism is unacceptable and must be eradicated. Continuing our work to support a National Cultural Safety and Humility standard will help to make the health system safer for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples across the country. FNHA is proud of our partnership with HSO and looks forward to supporting the national standard’s potential to contribute to meaningful systemic change.”
HSO/ACCREDITATION CANADA
Guiding Resources
- Addressing Racism in the Healthcare System
- Bringing Reconciliation to Healthcare in Canada: Wise Practices for Healthcare Leaders
- Expanding Our Vision: Cultural Equality & Indigenous Peoples’ Human Rights
- First Peoples, Second Class Treatment: The role of racism in the health and well-being of Indigenous peoples in Canada
- Health and Health Care Implications of Systemic Racism on Indigenous Peoples in Canada
- Indigenous Experiences with Racism and Its Impacts
- In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in B.C. Health Care
- Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami 2024-2028 Strategic Plan
- Public Inquiry Commission on relations between Indigenous Peoples and certain public services in Québec: listening, reconciliation and progress
- Racism and Public Health
- Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
- Taking Action Against Systemic Racism and Religious Discrimination Including Islamophobia
- The Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
- United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Winds of Change is made possible with support from the CMA Foundation, which provides purposeful charitable giving to Canadian charities to improve health equity and further excellence in health care.