Recognizing our commitment to Indigenous relations during National Indigenous History Month

Press Release

June 8, 2026

SE Health has reached the Committed stage of the Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations (PAIR) program through the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business. This milestone reflects SE Health’s dedication to strengthening relationships with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples through a structured, accountable approach to reconciliation — embedding respect, equity, and cultural safety into how the organization operates across the communities it serves.

SE Health is participating in the Partnership Accreditation in Indigenous Relations (PAIR) program (external link) through the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (external link) . Being in the Committed stage represents an important milestone in our ongoing efforts to strengthen how we listen, learn and act in relationship with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples across the communities we support, and where we live, work and play.

Participation in the PAIR Committed stage reflects SE Health’s intention to take a thoughtful, structured and accountable approach to Indigenous relations. It signals a commitment to embedding respect, equity and reciprocity into how the organization operates as one of Canada’s largest not-for-profit health organizations.

John Yip, President and CEO of SE Health, emphasized the significance of this work:

SE Health recognizes its responsibility to advance reconciliation through meaningful action. Our participation in the PAIR Program is more than a milestone – it reflects our commitment to strengthening Indigenous relations and to creating more equitable and culturally safe care for all.

Through this work, SE Health is focused on building strong foundations for long‑term change. This includes strengthening leadership understanding and accountability, creating conditions for culturally safer and more equitable workplaces, fostering respectful community relationships, and supporting Indigenous participation and collaboration in meaningful ways.

SE Health recognizes that reconciliation is not a single action or statement, but an ongoing responsibility that requires humility, reflection and sustained effort over time. Participation in the PAIR supports the organization’s commitment to learning, self-assessment, and action, while helping to turn intention into meaningful change through its policies, practices and relationships.

This work is essential to delivering health and community care that is respectful, inclusive and grounded in trust. SE Health’s involvement in PAIR is one way the organization is holding itself accountable to doing better today and into the future, while remaining open to guidance from Indigenous collaborators, Knowledge Keepers and communities.

Learn more about the PAIR program here (external link) .

IHT4