INSIGHTS ON CULTURAL SAFETY IN PRACTICE

As we move deeper into December, my days have become governed by a simple yet relentless tool: a daily, 3x3 post-it note, crammed with every task I aim to accomplish. Lately, these little notes have started to feel like a metaphor for my life—a crush of responsibilities scribbled into every available inch, leaving no space to breathe, let alone add another word. Last Friday, I had the opportunity to sit with George just before we recorded a podcast together. He asked how I wa

The month of November was one that many will remember as a rollercoaster of events. In the midst of sorting out the BC election, the contentious US election unfolded, and on November 4th, the devastating passing of Murray Sinclair left so many of us reeling. By the time our November Community Call approached on the 6th, I felt emotionally raw. The morning before the call, my friend George checked in on me. When he asked how I was doing, I admitted I felt fragmented—scattered

Before we dive into this week's Teachings Tuesday, I want to take a moment to introduce myself and share a bit about my journey. My name is Kim Trottier, and I began creating Culturally Committed in October 2020. This path was inspired by my experiences as a non-Indigenous person working in First Nations communities, and the treasured relationships that blossomed from that work. If you’re curious about my full origin story, please check out the podcast I did with my friend Le

A few weeks ago, I attended a moving event hosted by Islands Trust, hosted on Gabriola Island, which began with a powerful opening by Snuneymuxw Elders. The gathering centered on xexe (utmost sacred) tumuxw (world, earth, dirt, red ochre, land), emphasizing the critical importance of respecting burial sites—sacred spaces often threatened by development—while exploring the broader necessity of land protection. The event featured a screening of Dust and Bone, a documentary shar

Yesterday, I woke to warm sunshine streaming through my window, and my thoughts immediately gravitated to a local landmark that had been on my mind all week—Mount Benson. With winter approaching on the West Coast, no plans on my agenda, and the perfect conditions for an adventure, I decided today was the day. A few hours later, I stood at the summit, captivated by the breathtaking view before me. There, I noticed the sign proudly declaring the mountain’s name and elevation: M

This week, we’re honored to share a writing offered by Katy Carson, who brings a powerful voice and perspective to this weeks Teachings Tuesday. Recently, Katy and I shared a conversation about the complex and often painful issues surrounding “pretendianism” and how it impacts Indigenous communities. As someone who is actively reconnecting with her own culture, Katy has experienced firsthand the challenges and triumphs that come with reclaiming and strengthening her identity.

This week’s Teachings Tuesday is shared by one of our founding Culturally Committed members, Kyle Pearce. Kyle is a settler of English and French descent benefitting in many ways from his status as an uninvited guest on the traditional and unceded territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Kyle has had a long journey towards unlearning racism, including his Masters thesis exploring the ways that white people’

Last week, I received an excited message from Katy Carson, Director of Organizational Relationships at Culturally Committed, urging me to check my calendar and make arrangements to attend this year’s Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week (VIFW). This annual celebration showcases the creativity and brilliance of over thirty Indigenous fashion designers from across Turtle Island, offering a platform to reveal their latest seasonal inspirations. This year’s event will feature four t

This morning I am grateful to be sharing a guest post, written by our dear friend Len Pierre of Katzie First Nation. Len, thank you for your willingness to guide our learning - I appreciate you so much. "By far one of my most favorite teachings and to be honest, one of the most underestimated, is the teaching of listening. ​ You see, in my culture, as it is in many across Turtle Island, we are master listeners. I often find elders, speakers, leaders, matriarchs, and Chiefs ar

This week's Teachings Tuesday is shared by the incredible artist, Maynard Johnny Jr., who has roots in both Coast Salish and Kwakwaka'wakw territories. In 2021, Maynard designed an orange shirt that carries a powerful message, and in this video, he explains its origin. Drawing from his lived experiences, Maynard shares his truth, which has inspired the 'Be the Change' movement linked to the orange shirt. Below is a transcription of a video he recorded with Hope and Health. Th

A few weeks ago, George and I were discussing the work we are doing at Culturally Committed, and he shared with me: "When I think about planning our direction with our CC family, I often think about our Nation's canoe races. For canoe pullers, training season starts long before they sit in their canoes. They train their bodies and minds to be ready. They meet on the beach, and strategize. They take note of who shows up to training every day and who is not making it a priority

A few weeks ago, Mentor George Harris Jr. of Stz'uminus approached me with a request to share a "Teachings Tuesday" with you all on this day—the two-year anniversary of his mother's passing and the one-year anniversary of the loss of his mother-in-law. During this heavy time for his family, he felt compelled to share teachings to illuminate what outsiders might observe following the loss of a loved one. Thank you, George, for helping us all learn and better understand the imp

As the winds begin to change and summer gives way to fall, there is a Teachings Tuesday that has been on my heart for a long time. Out of respect for the sacredness of Coast Salish culture, this teaching will remain intentionally vague. However, I believe it is essential knowledge for providers offering services to First Nations clients. I reached out to Culturally Committed Mentor, George Harris Jr. of Stz'uminus First Nation, for guidance on how to share this message respec

Recently at Culturally Committed, we have been engaging in many conversations about the upcoming ​National Day for Truth and Reconciliation​, which will take place on September 30th. Often referred to as "Orange Shirt Day," this annual event is intended to honor and remember the Indigenous children who were taken from their families and placed in residential schools, as well as the intergenerational impacts of these events. The day serves as a time to reflect on the legacy of

There are many people who have guided our journey as Culturally Committed has developed and evolved, and one person I've looked to for a long time now is George Harris Jr. of Stz'uminus First Nation. Although I’ve worked in George's Nation since 2014 and was close to many members of his family, George and I never truly had the opportunity to connect until late 2021, when our work at Culturally Committed was already underway. Much of the early work and learning we did at Cultu

Following ​last weeks Teachings Tuesday​, our community engaged in impassioned discussion about the events in Tla'amin, what it means to be a good ally, and how folks can exert positive pressure in the face of denialistic stances. These conversations inspired Culturally Committed Mentor, Emily White of Tla'amin, to compose the below writing, which she has titled, 'Allyship in the Face of Adversity'. ​Over the last two years, the City of Powell River has been faced with the re

If you've been a reader for a while, you know that events in Tla'amin Nation are something I actively follow. My deep connections within the community, including my best friend Ashley and Culturally Committed Mentor Emily White, have allowed me to witness firsthand the pain and sadness caused by the racism and bigotry perpetrated by some members of the Powell River community. Divisions about the town's name, the revitalization of traditional place names, and rifts between Ind

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of connecting with Sabra Thompson, a Community-Appointed Métis Elder in residence at Capilano University and the Director of the Vancouver Sea to Sky Métis Association. Our connection was driven by Sabra's passionate advocacy work to raise awareness about the often-overlooked issue of the taxation of honorariums. She has been actively seeking ways to inform the public about this important matter. I shared with her that our newsletter has a

Back in the fall, we started looking for a new Mentor to join our community. This search led us to connect with someone I've known for many years: Thomas George Jr. of Halalt First Nation. I first met Thomas as a colleague working in several of the communities I attended, and later discovered he was also the cousin of Mentor George Harris Jr. Thomas seamlessly integrated into the Leadership Team of two of our Dedicated Learning Circles, fitting in as if he had always been the

Last week, I had the opportunity to engage in a conversation with George Harris Jr. of the Stz’uminus First Nation and Jared Qwustenuxun Williams of Quw’utsun. During our discussion, we explored the pursuit of leadership positions in corporate culture, and how the attributes that commonly elevate individuals in these systems conflict with the values prioritized in First Nations communities. George explained that, rather than striving to stand out and be noticed, his people en