Madam Speaker, over the last decade, the Department of Health and Social Services has been working on improving cultural safety for the Indigenous communities and peoples of the Northwest Territories. This critical work underpins everything the health and social services system does to redress the legacy of colonialism and antiIndigenous racism that has so deeply affected Indigenous communities.
This fall, a distinct cultural safety and antiracism division was established to create a systemwide environment where Indigenous peoples feel safe, respected, and free of racism and discrimination when accessing health and social services.
To reach this goal, all staff need a foundational understanding of the ways in which anti Indigenous racism is experienced within health and social services. We know that racism creates barriers that prevent Indigenous peoples from seeking necessary healthcare. Racism is contributing to outcomes such as a shorter life expectancy and higher rates of suicide, mental health and addiction issues, as well as chronic diseases. We know that training all service providers about cultural safety and antiracism is imperative.
Madam Speaker, the department launched mandatory training for all health and social services system staff and since June 2021, 240 staff have participated in the training sessions. The training takes place inperson over two days and is delivered by Indigenous guest speakers and a staff team that is primarily Indigenous.
Another significant initiative to improve client and community experience is the introduction of Indigenous patient advocates. Four senior Indigenous patient advocates have been hired and are completing orientation and training in preparation for the launch of the program later this year. The Indigenous patient advocates will work in NWT acute care facilities in Inuvik, Fort Smith, Hay River, and Yellowknife. Madam Speaker, they will support Indigenous clients to address their concerns, complaints, and questions, while bridging culture and language barriers.
Part of improving the relationshipbased health and social services system in which cultural safety is included and valued is the design of a new social innovation project called the Baby Bundle. The Baby Bundle is available to all parents with children up to six months. The bundle contains clothing, toiletries, and a tote bag that turns into a backpack. The program has been in development for several years and tried out with parents in four regions to ensure it contains the right items. The bundle is combined with prenatal care and wellchild visits. These visits are critical to improving health outcomes and positive early childhood development indicators for all children. This initiative also offers an opportunity for healthcare providers to build relationships with families, to engage in discussion and decisionmaking, and to share culturecentered approaches to welcoming a new child to the world. The program was launched the week before, and 600 Baby Bundles will be available across the NWT this year.
Madam Speaker, we are working to bring the NWT to the forefront of change and innovation in the way the health and social services system responds to the needs and priorities of Indigenous clients and helps them feel confident about cultural safety and comfort that results in improvements in health outcomes for future generations. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
Thank you. Ministers' statements. Minister for Infrastructure.
