Toward culturally safe evidence-informed decision-making for First Nations and Inuit community health policies and programs [electronic resource]

Objective: Public program and policy decisions affecting First Nations and Inuit communities must consider both Aboriginal and mainstream sources of knowledge. This study focuses on an evidence review to identify core characteristics of cultural safety relevant to decision making in the organizational context of the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) of Health Canada. Methods: References were identified through three approaches: requesting sources from Aboriginal and other partners, professional contacts, and networks; performing systematic searches using several electronic search engines; and identifying grey literature through online searches, and consultation of pertinent websites and reference lists. Results: Core characteristics of cultural safety were identified as relevant to FNIHB decision making. Conclusion: This review of evidence identifies a series of key cultural safety principles that could support program and policy-related processes. Feedback thus far suggests these principles may be helpful for FNIHB decision making contexts.