Current Projects

Projects under the guidance of the Collaborative are currently focused around Primary Health Care Planning in the Kootenay Boundary – in particular the provision of culturally safe, culturally relevant care for Aboriginal people living in the region.

Needs Assessment for the Health and Wellbeing of Aboriginal People in the Kootenay Boundary, 2020

Under the guidance of the KBASC, a needs assessment on the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people was completed in 2020. This foundational work provided key insights into the Aboriginal population in the Kootenay Boundary, documented their experiences of health care, and offered four gifts (recommendations) to the primary health care system.

Request a copy of the 2020 Needs Assessment.

Please use the form below to provide information to the KBASC Members on the following:
Name, Email, Requesting Organization, Reason for Request, How the information will be used.

Once you have completed the form, a copy of the Needs Assessment will be emailed to you. If you have any questions, please contact: kbasc@coinations.net.

Priority Focus Areas

Strengthening the Collaborative

The diversity of the Nations is honoured and celebrated. Because of our work that is grounded in the wisdom and culture of this Land, there is increased awareness and availability of services and supports for Aboriginal people and expanded willingness by our partners to reflect on taken for granted knowledge and invest in Aboriginal holistic ways of knowing and being.

Advocacy and Accountability

The KBASC is recognized, sought out and trusted to inform cultural safety and humility by cultivating conditions to be responsive to different ways of knowing and being.

Communication and Engagement

Illustrating a pathway to empower the voices of Aboriginal people to share aspirations about their wellbeing and translating that information through dialogue with partners to bring reflection, to integrate and create practice changing moments that impact and benefit future generations.

Resources

Creating Welcoming and Culturally Safe Environments

This document provides information to service providers on the local Indigenous context in the Kootenay Boundary, Aboriginal supports and resources and facilities planning to create more culturally welcoming environments.

View PDF

KB Cultural Safety

Created in collaboration with the COINS Aboriginal Health and Wellness Team, KB Division of Family Practice and KBASC, this informative site provides up to date information on Aboriginal-specific supports and services, a toolkit to provide support to providers in asking about Aboriginal identity, and cultural safety and humility learning resources. The smudging ceremony reflects the collective knowledge of the First Peoples who have always been here. It is not owned by any one entity.

Visit Website

‘Smudging in an Acute Care Setting’

This video, created in partnership by the Circle of Indigenous Nations Society (COINS), Kootenay Boundary Division of Family Practice, Interior Health and the Kootenay Boundary Aboriginal Services Collaborative, offers teachings and perspectives on smudging in a supportive health care setting.

View YouTube Video

Ground Breaking ceremony of the Lu’ma Housing Development in Castlegar, BC, May 2026

Syilx Elder (Eliza Terbasket) at the Nelson Health Campus Opening, July 2025

Kootenay Boundary Physician’s Association Event, May 2026