Indigenous Cultural  Awareness Workshop

Four members of the Back At It staff had the unique opportunity to attend an Indigenous Cultural Awareness Workshop. Recognizing the significance of our clinic’s locations on treaty land within a tourism-driven community, we understood the importance of enhancing our staff’s understanding of Alberta’s First Nations cultures.

Back At It aims to achieve several key objectives:

• Cultural Sensitivity and Respect: The course provided foundational knowledge about the history, traditions, and customs of the First Nations communities in Alberta. This understanding enabled our staff to approach interactions with First Nations patients and community members with sensitivity, respect, and humility.
• Effective Communication: Effective communication is vital in healthcare settings. Through this course, our staff will learnt about communication styles, protocols, and cultural nuances that are specific to Alberta’s Indigenous communities. By improving our ability to communicate effectively, we can build trust and rapport with our Indigenous patients, leading to better health outcomes.
• Culturally Competent Care: Culturally competent care involves recognizing and addressing the unique healthcare needs and preferences of diverse cultural groups. 
• Promoting Reconciliation and Healing: As a clinic situated on treaty land, we have a responsibility to contribute to the process of reconciliation and healing. By educating ourselves about the history of colonization, the legacy of residential schools, and ongoing issues facing First Nation communities, we can become allies in the journey towards reconciliation. This course provided opportunities for self-reflection, critical thinking, and dialogue around these important issues.

One of our therapists that attended the workshop sums up her experience:

I wanted to share some powerful insights I gained from attending the Alberta First Nations Cultural Awareness Workshop last week. Firstly, I was unaware of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Alberta (ITA) and the crucial role they play in promoting Indigenous culture and heritage. It became evident to me that more exposure and support for organizations like ITA are vital for fostering cultural understanding and appreciation in our community.

During the workshop, I learned that one of our ambassadors is Indigenous and involved with ITA. This realization underscored the importance of supporting their healing and growth moving forward. Moreover, the workshop prompted me to confront the painful truth about Canada’s history of colonization and the atrocities inflicted upon Indigenous peoples. It’s clear that our school curriculums must change to incorporate this unvarnished truth in an age-appropriate manner.

One of the most profound takeaways was the kindness and sincerity of Indigenous people, who are eager to share their culture with others. Representation and authenticity were emphasized throughout the workshop, leading me to question why there isn’t more Indigenous representation in positions of leadership, such as on Banff town council. It’s something worth exploring further, perhaps through initiatives like sponsorship programs to incorporate Indigenous perspectives into local businesses.

Overall, the workshop was a transformative experience that deepened my understanding of Alberta’s First Nations communities and underscored the importance of cultural sensitivity and inclusion in our work.