Developing an Indigenous cultural safety micro-credential: initial findings from a training designed for public health professionals in southern Ontario

Abstract

ABSTRACT Cultural safety training is a resource that healthcare institutions and staff can rely on to end anti-Indigenous racism in their organisations and to shift service providers’ attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge of Indigenous people. The aim of this study was to understand the initial knowledge and interest about Indigenous Peoples that a southern Ontario public health unit’s (PHU) staff hold. A cultural safety micro-credential project was developed in consultation with the PHU. An online survey was administered from January to March 2021 to those who were starting the micro-credential during this timeframe (n = 31). Thirty-one staff responded. A majority of the participants indicated that they had some knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and that this knowledge was relevant to their work. The number of interactions with Indigenous Peoples varied by role. Common themes for the open-ended responses included culture, relationships, and supports/services. Many of the open-ended responses highlighted feelings of not knowing enough and wanting to learn more about Indigenous Peoples. These results indicate a shift in attitudes, behaviours, and knowledge of Indigenous Peoples among the PHU staff. Cultural safety training can serve to address knowledge gaps and contribute to creating the systemic change needed to end anti-Indigenous racism in healthcare institutions.