Indigenous Health

We work to bring excellence in care. We serve patients and their families who identify as Indigenous, First Nations, Inuit or Métis and who are using services at BC Children's Hospital. 

Our mission is to build bridges in health care for Indigenous women, children, families and communities. We are guided by the six Coast Salish Teachings gifted to PHSA by Musqueam Knowledge Keeper, Sulksun.  

Indigenous Health Referral Form (PDF)

Support during your hospital visit 

Our team can support you in the following ways: 

• Assist you and your family in navigating hospital procedures and protocols
• Accompany you and your family to clinic appointments
• Ensure your needs are heard by your medical team
• Health literacy: explain medical advice that health professionals provide at patient appointments
• Direct you to resources and other health-care staff that support your short-term or long-term stay at the hospital, including travel, food vouchers, housing, counselling and respite care
• Attend care-plan and discharge-planning meetings alongside you and your family to provide cultural, spiritual, mental and emotional support
• Assist you with making a complaint
• Provide connections to culture, traditional medicines and Elder support

Roles within our team 

Indigenous patient navigators 

Indigenous patient navigators are hosts of the hospital. They will be here to welcome you when requested. They will walk alongside you and your family during your hospital journey. They also offer traditional medicines and provide access to the designated sacred space to burn traditional medicines.

Elders and Knowledge Keepers 

Elders and Knowledge Keepers are available to support you upon request. If availability permits, they can provide emotional and cultural support for you and your family during your hospital stay. 

Elder and Knowledge-Keeper services embody the following values: 

• Everything is connected
• Respect for Indigenous people's diversity of values, beliefs and culture
• Work with hearts of compassion and empathy
• Reconciliation is a shared responsibility
• Embrace and foster connecting to cultural and traditional teaching
• Embrace standing strong in identity and culture
• Support and facilitate access to traditional healing and wellness practices

Connections to cultural resources 

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Upon request and based on availability, we can provide: 

• Traditional medicines for ceremonial use
• Use of a sacred space to perform ceremonies
• Help with facilitating ceremonies for different phases of life, such as birthing, rites of passage and end of life
• A referral for you and your family to an Elder or Knowledge Keeper who provides cultural and emotional supports

If you self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) and are currently receiving care on our campus, you can access our services. 

How to connect to our services

• Ask your health care professional (e.g. specialists, doctors, nurses, social workers)
• Contact us directly

Contact details

Address:
Room 1P1- Indigenous Patient Navigators (first floor, door 93)
BC Children's Hospital
4500 Oak Street
Vancouver, BC

Email: indigenoushealthreferral@cw.bc.ca
Phone: 604-875-2348

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

Scan the QR code on posters throughout the hospital for more information.