Resources to Support Practice and Ongoing Learning for Culturally Safe Care: Responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action

This collection of tools, courses, and practical documents, developed by physiotherapy professionals and health-care workers across Canada, is designed to support culturally safe care and health equity. Many of the resources were created in collaboration with Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and communities.

Explore the links below for guidance on responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, honouring those impacted by Residential Schools, and engaging with Indigenous communities.

Truth and Reconciliation Week 2025

Truth and Reconciliation Week – Taking Truth to Action
Provider: National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (University of Manitoba)
Length: 5 days (September 22–26, 2025)
Format: Free, virtual programming + select in-person events
Cost: Free
Certificate: No

A national education program for students (Grades 1–12), teachers, and the public. Features interactive workshops, hybrid learning sessions, youth empowerment gatherings (Halifax, Sept. 18), a national broadcast (Parliament Hill, Sept. 30), and daily Lunch and Learn webinars. Programming is offered in English, French, and ASL, and provides opportunities to deepen understanding of Residential Schools, honour Survivors, and support pathways toward reconciliation.

Practice Resources

We extend our deep thanks to the members of the Global Health Division’s Indigenous Health Subcommittee, and to Dr. Stacey Lovo, for guidance and support in identifying these resources. This list is not exhaustive, and we invite you to contact the CPA at lcarroll@physiotherapy.ca if there are additional resources or courses that you think should be included.

• Indigenous Cultural Safety, Health Equity, and Anti-Discrimination Guide
  • Developed by the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta with guidance from an Indigenous Advisor from Treaty 8 Territory, this guide supports physiotherapy professionals in advancing their knowledge and skills, to be better able to fulfill the requirements and expectations articulated in the Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility Standard of Practice, and Health Equity and Anti-Discrimination Standard of Practice, both in effect in Alberta since January 1, 2025.
• Indigenous Health – Physiotherapy Practice magazine (Sept./Oct. 2019 — Vol. 9, No.5)
  • This issue features several engaging articles that link the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action with reflections and actions from physiotherapy professionals across Canada.
• Indigenous Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility and Anti-Racism: Practice Standard Pocket Guide
  • This brief guide outlines practical actions physiotherapy professionals can take in six domains. These include self-reflective practice, strengths based and trauma informed practice, and creating safe health-care spaces in which the holistic needs of Indigenous clients can be met.
• Indigenous Language Rehab Materials for Chronic Low Back Pain
  • These community-directed educational brochures and videos in six Indigenous languages provide information about how to take care of your back.
• Community-directed pain assessment and development of a culturally responsive pain scale (the Community Directed Pain Scale, CDPS) in a Northern Saskatchewan Cree community
  • The CDPS supports cultural safety and patient-centered interactions to facilitate more comprehensive pain assessments.
• Chronic Pain and Reconciliation: An Introduction
  • This blog post from Erin Keough, pht, describes one PT’s work on a project about chronic pain and Indigenous populations.
• Pain in Indigenous Peoples from Colonized Countries – International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)
  • This fact sheet highlights inequities in pain care among Indigenous peoples in Australia, Canada, and Aotearoa New Zealand, linking these disparities to the ongoing impacts of colonization. It outlines Indigenous approaches to pain, emphasizes the importance of cultural safety and Indigenous-led solutions, and offers guidance for clinicians, health systems, and policy makers to foster equitable outcomes.

Community Rehabilitation Worker (CRW) Program for Northwestern Ontario First Nations

• Development and evaluation of the CRW program
  • This paper describes the use of a participatory action framework to collaboratively develop and evaluate a CRW program to support health equity and access for rural and remote Indigenous communities.
• Description of the CRW role and training
  • A CRW is a local Indigenous community member who is trained in rehabilitation principles and skills to support elders and home and community care clients. This document describes an overview of the role and training, which has been developed collaboratively with the community.

Elder Exercise and Falls Prevention Program

These resources have two components: a training program package and an Elder exercise class video (available in English, Cree, Oji-Cree, and Ojibway).

• Guidelines for Rehabilitative Care Discharge Planning (Home, Regional Hospitals and Indigenous communities)
  • This document is intended to be a reference when planning discharges for clients who want to return to their home community in Northwestern Ontario for rehabilitative care, inclusive of Indigenous communities.

Culturally Safe Care Courses for Rehabilitation Professionals in Canada

Partnering with Indigenous Communities to Develop and Evaluate Pediatric Rehabilitation Strategies
https://rehabscience.usask.ca/cers/practice-resources/webinars/pediatric-rehab-strategies.php

Provider: University of Saskatchewan
Length: 3 hours
Date: October 6, 8, and 10, 2025 | 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM (CST – Saskatchewan)
Format: National Webinar Series, Online
Cost: Free Registration
Certificate: No

This national webinar series brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers, practitioners, community partners, and decision-makers from across Canada to reflect on and advance collaborative approaches in pediatric rehabilitation.

Each day of the series will focus on a specific region of Canada, offering space to highlight regional strengths, community-led initiatives, and collaborative models. We strongly encourage co-presentations between researchers and Indigenous partners to reflect the shared leadership and knowledge at the heart of this work.

San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training
https://www.sanyas.ca

Provider: San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training Inc.
Length: 8–12 hours
Format: Facilitated, self-paced online
Cost: Varies by region or employer; individual and group options
Certificate: Yes

A nationally respected course tailored by province (e.g., BC, ON, MB, National) for health and allied health professionals. It explores systemic racism, colonization, and practical tools for safe, respectful engagement with Indigenous clients. Ideal for physiotherapy professionals, occupational therapists, and interprofessional care teams.

Foundations of Indigenous Cultural Safety
https://iphcc.ca/cultural-safety-training/

Provider: Indigenous Primary Health Care Council (IPHCC)
Length: ~3 hours
Format: Self-directed online
Cost: Free or low-cost
Certificate: Yes

An accessible introduction to Indigenous cultural safety in health care, grounded in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis experiences. Covers historical context, cultural humility, and trauma-informed care. Well-suited for physiotherapy onboarding or foundational team learning.

Indigenous Cultural Competence and Humility – Health Version
https://learn.the-irg.ca/product/icch-health-course

Provider: The Indigenous Relations Group (IRG)
Length: ~10 hours + optional 7-week challenge
Format: Self-directed
Cost: ~$295 CAD
Certificate: Yes

This immersive course offers deep engagement in cultural competence and humility through modules, readings, and reflection activities. The 7-week challenge provides structured learning with podcasts and journaling prompts. Ideal for rehabilitation professionals seeking long-term mindset and practice transformation.

Role of Practitioners in Indigenous Wellness
https://cmelearning.usask.ca/learn-here/cme-online-courses/indigenous-wellness.php

Provider: University of Saskatchewan (CME Division)
Length: ~25 hours (completed within 12-weeks)
Format: Asynchronous, self-paced
Cost: $320 + taxes (clinicians) $270 + taxes (students/residents)
Certificate: Yes (CE-accredited: RCPSC, CFPC)

Accredited course for clinicians interested in comprehensive training on Indigenous wellness models, historical trauma, and culturally responsive practice. A strong option for physiotherapy professionals seeking continuing education credits or working in academic and leadership roles.