Government of Yukon commits to advancing the integration of cultural safety and humility into the health and social system

Press Release

May 23, 2023

Recognizing and respectfully addressing power imbalances inherent to the health and social care system is a priority for the Government of Yukon. The Department of Health and Social Services has established a cultural safety team that will work to implement a more comprehensive, coordinated approach to cultural safety in the Yukon’s health and social system. This work will be foundational to implementing key commitments from the Putting People First report and approaches to care that will improve health outcomes for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people.

The work will be led by a Director of Cultural Safety who will engage with First Nations to explore how to bring Putting People First recommendation 4.1 to life, including establishing mandatory cultural safety training for all departmental employees and integrating cultural safety and humility into organizational leadership, culture and policies.

This work is an important first step. True progress will require systemic change across the health and social system to reduce health inequities and build a system that is free of racism and discrimination.

A key recommendation in Putting People First 4.1 is to publish a formal “Declaration of Commitment” that includes a vision of what cultural safety and humility means, acknowledges the need for cultural safety and commits to collaborating with First Nations peoples. A key milestone for this team in 2023 will be to work in partnership with Yukon First Nations to publish a formal “Declaration of Commitment” that includes a vision of what cultural safety and humility means, acknowledges the need for cultural safety, and commits to collaborating with First Nations people to achieve it.

Establishing a coordinated approach dedicated to cultural safety within the department is foundational to our work of building a health and social system that better supports First Nations peoples. We are continuing to build partnerships with Yukon First Nations as we work together to implement Putting People First.

Minister of Health and Social Services Tracy-Anne McPhee

Embedding cultural safety and humility into the health and social service system reflects the voices and stories of many First Nations citizens who provided input into the Putting People First report.  I’m excited to develop tools and resources for people who work within the system, to create environments where First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples feel recognized, respected and celebrated for their cultural identity.

Director of Cultural Safety Candace Parsons

Quick facts

  • In 2020, the Government of Yukon committed to implementing the recommendations and visions in the Putting People First report, to create a more coordinated, integrated and culturally safe health and social system.
  • Putting People First recommendation 4.1 is to partner with Yukon First Nations to develop and implement and comprehensive and coordinated approach to cultural safety and humility.

Contact

Jordan Owens
Cabinet Communications
867-332-0615
jordan.owens@yukon.ca

Claire Robson
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-332-5907
claire.robson@yukon.ca

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