Who We Are

• Investigators from the University of British Columbia Okanagan in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada and the District Health Board, Hawke’s Bay New Zealand.
• Collaborators from First Nation Friendship Centre in Vernon, British Columbia and Métis Community Services of British Columbia
• Supported by University of British Columbia Researchers, Vernon Jubilee Hospital and Aboriginal Health, Interior Health.
• In partnership with Okanagan Nation Alliance.
• Representatives from UBC, community organizations and First Nation, Inuit, Métis and Urban Aboriginal communities are dedicated to giving people their voice so they can determine their own health outcomes. Our explicit goal for this research is to undertake research that effects organizational change by developing systems for the provision of “culturally safe” and accessible healthcare for the First Nation, Inuit, Métis and Urban Aboriginal community members of the Okanagan Valley.

The practice of cultural safety in health care establishes an awareness of health care providers’ own cultural realities and attitudes, to be open-minded and flexible in their attitude toward people from other cultures.  We are located at the University of British Columbia Okanagan. Our team is working together to gain a comprehensive understanding about health care experiences concerning cultural safety of aboriginal peoples in the Okanagan. Our goal is to ultimately improve the health care services that First Nation, Inuit, Métis and Urban Aboriginal community members receive in urban centres.

Cultural Safety gives people the power to comment on care and to be involved in changes when their experiences are negative.

Dianne Wepa