Indigenous Patient Resources

​​The resources on this page are not created by BC Renal. 

This page contains a collated set of links to organizations ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​and supports that may be relevant to Indigenous patients living with kidney disease. 
Services

Provincial & National Indigenous Organizations

​​​BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres
Provides a network of Indigenous-led Friendship Centres across BC that deliver wraparound, community-based services to Indigenous people living in urban areas or away from home. Services include:
  • Health and wellness programming
  • Youth, family, and Elders supports
  • Education, employment, and training
  • Cultural programming and community connection
  • Violence prevention and outreach services
Métis Nation British Columbia  Métis Nation British Columbia
Represents Métis people in BC and delivers a broad range of culturally relevant programs and services including:

  • Health, housing, and mental wellness supports
  • Skills training, education, and employment programs
  • Children, family, youth, and Elder services
  • Cultural, language, and community initiatives
First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) First Nations Health Authority
Supports the health and wellness of First Nations people in BC through:
  • Health benefits (e.g., medications, travel, equipment)
  • Mental health and wellness programs
  • Cultural and community-based supports
  • Virtual health services and care coordination
Indigenous Services Canada – Indigenous Health Indigenous Services Canada – Health
Provides federal programs related to:
  • Primary care and public health
  • Non-insured health benefits (NIHB)
  • Mental health and wellness supports
  • Community health programming
Living My Culture (Advance Care Planning) Living My Culture
Advance care planning resources designed specifically for Indigenous peoples, supporting culturally safe conversations about future health decisions and end-of-life care.

Regional Indigenous Health Services (Navigation & Liaison)

These programs provide navigation, advocacy, and culturally safe care coordination within the health system:
Services typically include:
  • Support navigating healthcare services
  • Advocacy to ensure culturally safe care
  • Coordination between patients, families, and care teams
  • Connection to cultural, spiritual, and community supports
  • Assistance with discharge planning and transitions of care
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Care

Virtual Care & Counselling

​First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day First Nations Virtual Doctor of the Day
A culturally safe virtual primary care service offering:
  • Same-day or scheduled virtual appointments (video or phone)
  • Access to physicians (many of Indigenous ancestry)
  • Care for non-emergency concerns and referral support
  • Service designed for individuals without a regular primary care provider
Hope for Wellness Helpline Hope for Wellness Helpline
A national, culturally competent crisis and counselling service that provides:
  • 24/7 emotional support and crisis intervention
  • Phone and online chat counselling
  • Trauma-informed, culturally safe support for Indigenous people
  • Referrals to additional community services
FNHA Mental Health and Wellness Supports FNHA Mental Health & Wellness
Provides a range of culturally safe supports including:
  • Crisis lines and immediate emotional support
  • Access to counselling and mental health providers
  • Substance use and addiction services
  • Cultural healing and trauma-informed supports

Advance Care Planning

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Supports
Crisis and Immediate Support Lines​

Hope for Wellness Helpline Hope for Wellness Helpline
  • 1-855-242-3310 (24/7 counselling and crisis support)
KUU-US Crisis Line Society KUU-US Crisis Line Society
  • Adults/Elders: 250-723-4050
  • Youth: 250-723-2040
  • Toll-free: 1-800-588-8717
Indian Residential School Survivors Society (IRSSS) IRSSS | Indian Residential School Survivors Society

MMIWG Crisis Line MMIWG Crisis Support

Residential School Crisis Line
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-services/mental-health-get-help.html

Métis Crisis Line
Tsow Tun Le Lum








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