Activity #1: Self-Reflection and Self-Location

Through the completion of Module 1: Activity #1 the importance of reflecting upon your role and status may influence and impact your relationship with First Nations, Inuit and Métis patients. Indigenous patients may have a history of traumatic experiences in their personal life or with past healthcare encounters (For example: discrimination and racism).

By applying a culturally safe approach, the process of self-location and being self-aware provides the opportunity to foster inter-personal connection and relationships with Indigenous patients.

This process exemplifies ‘cultural humility’ through understanding and respecting the needs, values and experiences of Indigenous communities and patients. Through this approach, the power imbalance is shifted between heath care practitioner and patient, allowing the patient to express their concerns in a safe space.

Please note the topic of cultural safety will be further discussed later in the course.

The learning objective of this activity is for you to compose an account of your personal positionality and responsibilities relative to Indigenous peoples and demonstrate your understanding of the ongoing education and allyship required in this space.

Benefits of self-location activity:

1. This exercise helps place your professional and personal positionality in a geographical and social context. This will help engender understanding and trust between patient and provider.
2. This exercise helps contextualize your practice regarding the nations and peoples you serve. Including your responsibilities and accountability as a healthcare provider to provide culturally safe, patient-centered care.
3. This exercise allows you to think deeply about the connections with land and people integral to Indigenous worldviews.

Please consider the following quote from Shawn Wilson, an Opaskwayak Cree researcher from northern Manitoba, and his perspective on the centrality of relationships in Indigenous way of knowing:

“In this world view, we are each our own person, but we are also defined by our relationships to others. We are one person’s mother, another person’s daughter, and a third person’s family of the heart. We are connected to our ancestors, to the land where we come from, and to future generations. In short, Wilson argues, we are not just one person; we are the sum of all the relationships that shape our lives” (p. 95).

Please consider the following questions: