WHRI's Commitment to Advancing Reconciliation
At the Women’s Health Research Institute, we recognize that advancing reconciliation requires meaningful action and sustained accountability. As part of our commitment, Strategic Goal #4 in our 2025-2028 Strategic Plan is to “advance Indigenous women’s health as a research priority across the province“. We are dedicated to working in partnership with Indigenous health leaders, Knowledge Keepers, and communities to support women’s health research that is culturally safe, community-led, and grounded in Indigenous ways of knowing. We are committed to honouring the lands, laws, languages and governance systems of the First Nations lands where this work takes place, while building respectful and reciprocal relationships grounded in accountability.
As a provincial research institute committed to improving the health outcomes of women, including those across the 2SLGBTQIA+ spectrum, we recognize our responsibility in the collective effort to establish culturally safe health systems and services, particularly to address health inequities experienced by Indigenous women and girls, and Two-Spirit and gender diverse people.
Required Reading
These documents offer a snapshot of the ongoing impacts of colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous peoples in Canada.
If you are a settler conducting any kind of health research on these territories, it is important that you read and internalize the lessons of these documents to understand the depth of the issue(s) at hand, the harm that has been and continues to be done, and the importance of considering our place within colonial systems when conducting research.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in B.C. Healthcare
Conducting research in a good way by honouring Indigenous rights and ways of knowing
Indigenous Women's Health, Safety and Equity
These reports and resources focus on lived experiences, health outcomes, and systemic change.
Red Women Rising: Indigenous Women Survivors in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside
In Her Circle: The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on Indigenous Women’s Health
Research Ethics, Governance, and Indigenous Rights
For understanding legal, ethical, and governance frameworks.
BC Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
The Transformative Change Accord
The First Nations Principles of OCAP
Indigenous Gender Based Analysis Plus (IGBA+) Toolkit
Wise Practices for Ethical Research Design | Women’s Health College Hospital
Education and Anti-Racism Training
For building core understanding and cultural safety.
Indigenous-Specific Anti-Racism (ISAR) Self-Directed Learning
Anti-Indigenous Racism Response Training (internal to PHSA Staff)
San’yas Anti-Racism Indigenous Cultural Safety Training Program
The First Nations Principles of OCAP
Resources for Land and Territory Acknowledgements
For developing thoughtful, transformative territory acknowledgements.
UBC Library, Xwi7xwa – Distance Research: What is a Land Acknowledgment?
Health Services for Indigenous People
Information about Indigenous patient services and clinical programs at PHSA sites.
Chee Mamuk | BC Centre for Disease Control
Indigenous Cancer Control | BC Cancer
Indigenous Health Services | BC Children’s Hospital
University of British Columbia (UBC) Resources
Academic topics, research support, and educational webinars.
UBC Learning Circle | Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Health
UBC Indigenous Research Support Initiative
CTLT Indigenous Initiatives Programming
Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) Resources
These resources are accessible to Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) staff only.
Indigenous Health C&W Team
The Indigenous Health page is available to PHSA staff and clinicians, and provides access to supports and services via the Indigenous Health team at BC Children’s Hospital & BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre (C&W). The Indigenous Health team supports staff in delivering care to Indigenous patients, families, caregivers, and communities. The page includes information about, and links to, culturally safe resources, patient care services, resources for Indigenous staff members, Elder and knowledge keeper services, education services, and project request information.
This article recognizes the importance of BC Indigenous Nurses Day, observed on April 10, and the critical contributions Indigenous nurses make to the BC health care system. It also highlights the essential need for increased representation of Indigenous people in the nursing and healthcare field.
Orange Shirt Day: history, founder, and what it means for PHSA staff
Learn about the history of Orange Shirt Day and its founder Phyllis (Jack) Webstad of Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation, along with reflections from PHSA staff. Please note this article contains sensitive content which some may find distressing.
Indigenous Equity Lab
The Indigenous Equity Lab is an Indigenous-led research program at the Women’s Health Research Institute dedicated to advancing Indigenous health equity. Led by Dr. Brittany Bingham (shíshálh Nation), the lab’s mission is to support Indigenous women’s health, gender equity, revitalize traditional wellness practices, amplify Indigenous voices in health, respond to the impacts of climate change, and nurture capacity-building and mentorship for the next generation.
Explore resources, publications, and key areas of work at indigenousequitylab.org, or connect directly with the Indigenous Equity Lab team via email.
Women's Health Research Institute Resources
Patricia Barkaskas | The Indigenous IGBA+ Toolkit: Weaving Knowledge Into Your Own Work & Workplace
Patricia Barkaskas’ August 2025 presentation focuses on the IGBA+ Toolkit, which is designed to help government employees and corporate professionals understand the socio-cultural and historical realities shaped by colonization and systemic racism.
Barkaskas highlights that the toolkit serves as a call to action to intentionally include Indigenous voices, knowledge and lived experiences in decision making processes.
The IGBA+ Toolkit emphasizes the importance of centering, valuing and restoring the voices of Indigenous communities—including Indigenous women, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse individuals—within decision making, project development, governance, policies, and practices across all industries.
WHRI Wellness Library
The WHRI Wellness Library is dedicated to supporting staff well-being and ongoing learning. We encourage everyone to visit the library in H-Block via entrance 71.
The library includes:
- Indigenous-focused books and educational resources
- Wellness and reflection tools
- Creative resources such as puzzles and colouring books