We’re honoured to share that the BC Hospice Palliative Care Association (BCHPCA) and Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society were recently featured in a global piece published by the International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care (IAHPC).

The article, Culturally Safer Care: Pause, reflect, share... then move forward, highlights a growing focus on culturally safer palliative and grief care across Canada, particularly for Indigenous communities. It also recognizes BCHPCA’s leadership in working across systems, alongside the First Nations Health Authority, and our commitment to ensuring hospice palliative care in B.C. is both community-driven and culturally responsive.

“Having Indigenous communities lead the conversation, with us as supporters, is where I’ve seen huge strides.”
— Pablita Thomas, Executive Director, BCHPCA

A Story of Hospice, Healing, and Honour

The feature also includes a deeply moving story from Cheyanne Toninato, who shared her experience of accompanying her great-grandmother Mary an Elder from Skwah First Nation through her final days at Rotary Hospice House in Prince George.

With the support of hospice staff, Cheyanne and her family held a wedding ceremony inside the hospice so Mary could attend. Mary passed peacefully two weeks later, surrounded by music, her favourite cocktail, and her dog, Elvis.

Since Mary’s passing, Cheyanne has raised $10,000 in her honour and become a passionate hospice advocate.

“They just treated my grandma with such respect and kept her pride and dignity. I’ll be forever grateful.”
— Cheyanne Toninato

A National and Provincial Shift

This article comes as the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) prepares to launch a new stream at its upcoming national conference:
"Indigenous Communities & Culturally Safer Care" designed to amplify Indigenous-led practices, traditional knowledge, and land-based healing models.

As BCHPCA continues to support hospice societies across B.C., we remain committed to walking alongside Indigenous communities and advocates to ensure care is not only accessible, but truly culturally safe.

“To care for someone, you need to know the uniqueness of that person. There is no ‘one size fits all.’”
— Donna Flood, Executive Director, Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society

Read the full article:

IAHPC: Culturally Safer Care – April 2025 Edition