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Indigenous Health & Wellness
Working with Indigenous partners and communities, and building on existing knowledge and experience, we are committed to strengthening health services and improving health outcomes for all First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples.

Indigenous strategic health plans
Learn more about the Indigenous health & wellness strategy and Indigenous mental wellness plan.
Indigenous Health and Wellness Strategy (IHWS) 2022-2026
The IHWS serves as a framework for IH’s 23,000 staff and 1,900 physicians to provide high quality, safe and effective health services to all Indigenous peoples and families. The strategy is informed by and supports commitments to Indigenous partners through signed agreements, including the Letters of Understanding (LOUs), Partnership Accord, and Cultural Safety Declaration, as well as the IH Strategic Priorities and Ministry of Health (MOH) mandate.
Directly aligned with our focus on providing quality driven, people-centred care for Indigenous peoples, the Indigenous Mental Wellness Plan (AMWP) aligns with our mental health and substance use, First Nations Health Authority and Indigenous community planning. It was developed through input by Indigenous peoples, families, communities, organizations and health-care providers.
Indigenous engagement
Learn more about Indigenous Health & Wellness engagement initiatives within the Interior.
The inaugural Indigenous Engagement Forum was successful in creating space for external Indigenous partners and IH leaders and staff to come together, build and strengthen partnerships, share information on joint projects, learn about IH services and programs, and gather input on services. The Forum also highlighted successful partnerships and outstanding initiatives.
Addressing racism & discrimination in Interior Health
In June 2020, Dr. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond was appointed by the B.C. Minister of Health to review Indigenous-specific racism in the provincial health care system. The investigation found extensive examples of racism and discrimination against Indigenous patients and resulted in the In Plain Sight (IPS) Report – the full report and a data report – published in November 2020 and February 2021 respectively. IPS made 24 recommendations to be implemented within and integrated into the B.C. health-care system in response to Indigenous racism.
The following reports show Interior Health’s progress on those recommendations on changing systems, behaviours and beliefs. As part of IH’s commitment to action, we will publicly report progress towards implementing the IPS recommendations annually.
We are committed to working together with First Nation and Métis partners to change our health system and eliminate racism and discrimination at Interior Health.
Indigenous Partnerships
Our commitment to Indigenous health and wellness is strengthened through partnerships.
Indigenous Patient Navigators
Indigenous Patient Navigators (IPNs) are important members of our care teams. They work in hospitals and health centres throughout Interior Health and are available to support Indigenous peoples and their families during their care. Having an Indigenous Patient Navigator as part of the patient care team creates a safe space for Indigenous peoples to interact with the health system.
Whether or not you wish to self-identify as Indigenous, Indigenous Patient Navigators are here for you. The goal of an Indigenous Patient Navigator is to help make your hospital care and journey to wellness safe, comfortable and less confusing.
Planning and coordinating safe discharges from Royal Inland Hospital
The Indigenous Discharge Toolkit was developed to assist clinicians with discharge planning for Indigenous patients from Royal Inland Hospital to their home communities within the Thompson Cariboo Region of Interior Health.
The toolkit's resource document helps the care team connect with appropriate community members and resources based on the patient's needs and wishes. The toolkit is also informative for many clinicians within the Thompson-Cariboo region.
Much gratitude to all of the Indigenous partners, First Nations Health Authority Community Health Practice Consultants, Nation Health Managers, First Nations Health Directors, Métis Health System Advocates, Nation Community Engagement Coordinators, Indigenous Patient Navigators, and the many more who contributed to the toolkit development.
If you have any queries about the department, program or project identity, or if there is any missing/updated information you would like to provide, please do not hesitate to contact us at RIH.EDU@interiorhealth.ca.
Interior Voices podcast
Interior Voices is our Indigenous health and wellness podcast series that explores the intersection of health and culture in the workplace, our everyday lives and patient care.


Sahra joined IH just two months after graduating from Okanagan College, and has served in many roles with IH that led her to where she is today.
/stories/we-are-ih-recruitment-advisor-finds-purpose-growing-careers


Interior Health has non-judgmental drug checking services throughout the Interior region. Samples as small as a grain of rice can be tested.
/stories/stop-guessing-drug-checking-saves-lives


Lillooet Hospital holds a special place in Jessica McLellan's heart. A 3rd-generation resident of Lillooet, she has served as LDHF's chair since 2018.
/stories/foundation-spotlight-series-lillooet-district-hospital-foundation


Righting wrongs gives Sharon a sense of purpose at work. There is no typical day in labour relations which makes the job exciting and a great fit for her.
/stories/we-are-ih-labour-relations-specialist-strengthens-relationships


Many of us embrace our 50s and 60s as an opportunity for adventure. Even if you’re feeling healthy now, it’s a good idea to plan your future health decisions.
/stories/six-ways-plan-age-related-health-decisions


Like many expectant moms, Emily Canzian attended prenatal classes and did a lot of preparing for her son Luca’s birth.
/stories/new-moms-journey-through-first-days-breastfeeding
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