We are committed to confronting discrimination and racism and pursuing greater personal and societal equity. We are doing this by using a
health equity lens, which means we pay attention to how different groups of people in BC have been affected by COVID-19 response measures in different ways. This includes using analysis tools such as
Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+) and the
BC Human Rights Commission’s Grandmother Perspective framework for the collection of disaggregated race-based data, to understand how the COVID-19 response measures are experienced differently by age group, sex/gender, socioeconomic status, population density, immigration status, race, and Indigenous
(First Nation, Métis, and Inuit) identity.
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, we knew that some British Columbians faced unfair disadvantages due to less access to services, resources, and opportunities due to stigma, discrimination, systemic racism, and historical and present-day colonialism. Applying an equity lens in this project allows us to assess how groups may be put at greater risk of experiencing poorer health and wellness outcomes due to the COVID-19 response measures.
Our core values also include collaboration and cooperation. Through a coordinated and iterative approach, the Project Team and Working Group members work collaboratively with key partners in government and across sectors to understand and monitor the societal consequences resulting from the COVID-19 response measures. Members share knowledge, expertise, and advice to support the province and British Columbians in moving forward together.
As the original Peoples of what is now known as Canada, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples have pre-existing rights (commonly referred to as Indigenous or Aboriginal rights) that are recognized and affirmed by Section 35 of the
Constitution Act, 1982. First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples are distinct Indigenous groups in Canada that each have their own customs, practices, and traditions.
The Project Team and Working Group are committed to upholding Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) self-determination and to reconciliation. Reciprocal accountability, wisdom, partnership, responsibility, respect, and action-orientation are the founding principles of the relationship with Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) rightsholders and organizations, including FNHA and MNBC. This project recognizes past and present colonialism, as well as racism and discrimination in the health care system and throughout our society. The principles that guide our approach to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit data include being wellness-focused and strengths-based, looking across the life-course, taking a population health approach, and adherence to Indigenous data governance principles. Formal and informal Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) data governance standards are being adhered to and upheld throughout the entire planning, data analysis, and report writing process. The reports will honour and speak to the strength and resilience demonstrated by Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) leadership, communities, families, and individuals in BC during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Project Team is collaborating with FNHA and MNBC to highlight distinct First Nations and Métis people’s experiences, knowledge, voices, and recommendations. Additional information can be found in the
Indigenous Health and Wellness section.
The Project Team recognizes and acknowledges the lack of Inuit engagement in this work at this time and is collaborating with the Deputy Provincial Health Officer – Indigenous Health on how to include Inuit voices and experiences in this project.
