Accessible Long Description: Where to Start Infographic
The infographic shows a nighttime landscape under a star-filled sky. A bright star labeled “Leadership” sits at the centre, acting as a guiding point. Curving shapes and landforms radiate outward, connecting groups of people, communities, and ideas. The imagery suggests guidance, shared journeys, and long-term relationship-building. People of different ages and abilities stand together in the foreground, looking toward the star, symbolizing collective effort and shared responsibility.
Leadership
Prioritizing cultural safety as a lens for strategic decision-making.
Visual description:
At the centre of the infographic, a bright star labeled “Leadership” represents guidance and direction.
Culture as medicine
Recognizing First Nations, Inuit, and Métis cultural practices, teachings, and ceremonies in health and wellness.
Visual Description:
Traditional medicines and ceremonial items represent cultural practices.
Meaningful engagement, reciprocal relationships, and collaboration
Supporting a community-led approach — “nothing about us, without us.”
Visual Description:
A flowing landscape with a waterfall, and two people fishing suggesting shared responsibility and mutual respect.
Along the side of the waterfall, a wall of stones lists actions that support meaningful engagement. These actions are presented as steps or commitments that strengthen reciprocal relationships. Text elements within the stones:
Recognize gifts
Express gratitude
Ask for permission
Share knowledge
Empower youth
Learning and Capacity Growing
Having a well-resourced First Nations, Inuit, and Métis healthcare workforce.
Visual Description:
An Inuit healthcare worker, another healthcare worker with their hand over a glowing spot on their chest, a stethoscope with traditional flowers and a healthcare lanyard with the Métis infinity symbol. The visuals suggest training, mentorship, and support systems that build long-term capacity within Indigenous healthcare communities.
Continuous improvement and feedback
Recognizing that relationships are outcomes: a healthy community is an engaged community.
Visual Description:
Smoke wafts up from a collective campfire where people are gathering, talking, and sharing, emphasizing listening, feedback, and adaptation over time. One individual plays a drum while another dances.
“This is hard work and heart work.”
This is a quote from the Cultural Safety Design Collaborative Advisory Group.
Visual Description:
People of different generations and abilities stand together, some with arms around each other, all facing toward the central star. These scenes reinforce the importance of togetherness, shared learning, and intergenerational connection.
Organizational attribution
A disclaimer at the bottom reads: Healthcare Excellence Canada is an independent, not-for-profit charity funded primarily by Health Canada. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of Health Canada.
Visual Description:
Healthcare Excellence Canada logo.