Why has cultural safety, cultural humility, anti-discriminatory practice, Indigenous-specific cultural learning and anti-Indigenous racism and discrimination learning become mandatory within the CPD hours?

bccsw.ca > CPD – Indigenous-Specific & Cultural Safety Learning Additions > Why has cultural safety, cultural humility, anti-discriminatory practice, Indigenous-specific cultural learning and anti-Indigenous racism and discrimination learning become mandatory within the CPD hours?

These additions to the mandatory learning requirements for CPD have been added for a number of reasons. Overall, they are intended to better reflect the evolving nature of the Social Work profession and ensure that the CPD program supports the development of ethical, culturally competent, and inclusive practices for all Registered Social Workers.

These areas of learning are critical to the practice of Social Work within both the Canadian and provincial context of British Columbia. The work of the BCCSW and RSW/RCSWs occurs on the unceded and treatied territories of Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit), requiring an understanding and continued learning about the unique rights and title of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. This important area of learning is also grounded in legislation, policy, and calls to action and justice from Indigenous Peoples in addressing the legacy and ongoing impacts of colonialism and anti-Indigenous racism and discrimination.

In 2017 the BCCSW, alongside other health regulators, signed a Declaration of Commitment to Cultural Safety and Humility; this commitment recognizes the high importance of cultural safety and humility as quality and safety dimensions within the public protection mandate, and in the delivery of services to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples. The BCCSW committed to create a climate of change, engage and enable stakeholders, and implement and sustain change, including:

Encouraging, supporting and enhancing cultural safety and cultural competency amongst health professionals in BC
Openly and honestly addressing concerns and leading by example – identifying and removing barriers to progress
Encouraging and empowering the organization’s staff, governors, and volunteers to develop cultural humility and foster a culture of cultural safety

Legislation, policy and reports that guide this work and commitment to cultural safety, addressing anti-Indigenous racism and discrimination, and upholding the unique rights of Indigenous Peoples includes:

Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, 1996
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007
Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada – Final Report and Calls to Action, 2015
Reclaiming Power & Place: Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls & Calls to Justice, 2019
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, 2019
In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in BC Health Care, 2020