Tri-Territorial Health & Social Professionals Conference

“I want to provide culturally relevant care to Indigenous peoples – what should I do?”

In this interactive presentation, Dr. Smylie and Elder Alita Sauve will engage the audience in a practical conversation regarding key pathways and pitfalls on the journey to advance Indigenous cultural safety in health services. This will include a discussion of demonstrated tools and strategies at the health-care provider-patient; institutional; and systems levels.

Key Takeaways:

1. The roots of anti-Indigenous racism in health care are non-Indigenous and multi-pronged, requiring multi-pronged, multi-level responses customized to the non-Indigenous sources;
2. Critical, explicitly anti-racist, and quality-assurance focused approaches have been demonstrated to be effective;
3. Anticipate resistance and a bumpy trail forward at all levels;
4. Traditional Indigenous approaches are a powerful guide and protector as we do this work and will be commonly missed, misunderstood and/or distorted in translation.

The Ceremony of Image Making: Piecing Together Meaningful research/clinical Relationships Dr. Lisa Boivin utilizes the Indigenous tradition of image making to reimagine meaningful research/clinical relationships. Lisa will open by sharing her Indigenous experience and perspectives; often asking herself critical questions where she can enhance and improve her practice as a research/clinical educator. In this talk attendees will explore cultural safety through her pedagogical practice. Lisa shares her story of healing through cultural
reclamation in images she has painted, collaged and photo-voiced.

Learning Outcomes - Key takeaways.
1. Attendees will understand how colonialism impacts the health outcomes of Indigenous people andpopulations.
2. Attendees will learn how healing is enhanced by reclamation of culture.
3. Attendees will learn how image-based storytelling honors, personal and collective needs for wellbeing.

Join Dennis Shorty and Jenny, the dynamic duo known as Jennis, for an interactive and uplifting session blending culture, storytelling, and music. Dennis, a Master Carver, singer-songwriter, knowledge keeper, and residential school survivor from the Kaska First Nation, grew up immersed in art and tradition. Jenny, originally from East Germany, embraced Yukon life when she moved to Ross River to support Dennis’s artistic journey. Together, they have built a life of creativity, resilience, and connection. Their workshop invites you to experience healing through drumming, singing, and dance—so bring a drum if you have one and prepare to be inspired.

Souga Sin La!