Learning Circles: Culturally Safer Terminology
Learning Circles: Culturally Safer Terminology is part of a video series exploring Indigenous perspectives on psychological health and safety in the workplace.
Created to support employers and workers across BC’s tourism and hospitality industry, this series is a partnership between Len Pierre Consulting, go2HR, and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).
In this session, we focus on culturally safer terminology and the role language and behaviour play in creating culturally and psychologically safer workplaces.
What This Learning Circle Covers
- Following people’s leadership on how they wish to be identified
- Using respectful and accurate terminology
- Capitalizing Indigenous and using Peoples to reflect diversity
- Avoiding possessive language and understanding power dynamics
- When terms like Native and Indian may or may not be appropriate, depending on context
Participants are encouraged to regularly reflect on their language and behaviours when working with Indigenous colleagues, communities, and partners.
Companion Resource
- Indigenous Terminology Guide | Len Pierre Consulting