Reconciliation and Indigenization at VLRC

Reconciliation and Indigenization are not merely words; they are meaningful actions that reflect our commitment to supporting Indigenous communities. If you are Indigenous and experiencing vision loss, we want to connect you with the resources and assistance you need.

At Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada, we are actively transforming our health care organization to better serve Indigenous communities. Our goal is to work alongside Indigenous communities to create a health care system that is culturally safe, accessible, and responsive to your unique needs.

We invite you to explore this page to learn more about our ongoing efforts towards Indigenization and Reconciliation. Here, you will find details about our actions towards Truth and Reconciliation, as well as information about vision rehabilitation and resources specifically for Indigenous People seeking health care services.

Land Acknowledgment

At VLRC, we understand and acknowledge the profound privilege of serving our clients on lands that have been traditionally inhabited by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit for countless millennia. The land on which our corporate office in Toronto stands is covered by Treaty 13, an agreement signed in 1805 by the Mississauga Peoples and representatives of the Crown.  Our offices and employees operate in communities spanning Canada.  We acknowledge that they are situated in areas that include the traditional treaty lands of the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla in what is now Victoria, BC, and extend all the way to the lands of the Beothuk and Mi’kma’ki in St. John’s, NL.

We recognize and honour the enduring presence of all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples on these lands. We acknowledge the myriad of injustices perpetrated against them: stolen lands, colonialism, residential schools, institutional racism and many more unnamed atrocities.  We attest to and realize the intergenerational trauma they have endured.

We are grateful to collaborate with Indigenous health organizations to improve vision health outcomes. By acknowledging the past and taking decisive action today, we can collectively strive toward building a more equitable and promising future.

Our land acknowledgment serves as a genuine and earnest starting point for standing in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples and embarking on meaningful actions towards Reconciliation. VLRC will not sway in our commitment to Reconciliation through respectful collaborations and active listening, which we believe are crucial for understanding and addressing the needs of our Indigenous clients. In honouring and nurturing the knowledge and contributions of our current and future Indigenous health organization partners, we will work together to achieve optimal health outcomes.

This illustration highlights the Indigenous communities of Canada, symbolized by the turtle as Turtle Island. Within the turtle’s shell, elements of nature—snow, green grass, water, mountains, and sky—reflect the diverse landscapes of the land. The Inuit community is represented by engraved snow goggles, the Métis by the red Métis sash, and First Nations communities by the eagle feather. Illustration created by Design de Plume for the exclusive use of Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada.

 

Moving Forward with Truth & Reconciliation

As a national healthcare organization peopled by settlers on these lands, we hold in the highest regard the traditional knowledge, contributions, and cultures of the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples we serve. We are committed to creating spaces that are inclusive and welcoming for everyone.

In June 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada issued 94 Calls to Action. Call to Action #22 states:

“We call upon those who can effect change within the Canadian health-care system to recognize the value of Aboriginal healing practices and use them in the treatment of Aboriginal patients in collaboration with Aboriginal healers and Elders where requested by Aboriginal patients.”

Click here to access the full list of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action, specifically Actions 18 to 24, which relate to health and health care.

This abstract illustration depicts an eye formed from a medicine wheel, symbolizing the importance of balance in healing. On the left side of the eye, modern visual assessment and adaptive tools are represented, while the right side features traditional Indigenous healing elements, including a tobacco leaf, a sage leaf, and a medicine bag. This composition reflects VLRC’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation by honouring both contemporary treatments and traditional Indigenous knowledge. Illustration created by Design de Plume for the exclusive use of Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada.

 

Call to Action - How VLRC is Answering

VLRC accepts our responsibility to cultivate change within the healthcare system. We will take measures to address the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action for full health care rights, eliminating health disparity, anti-racist decolonization of the health sector, and self-determination in use and access to traditional knowledge and healing practices.

This illustration showcases a basket weave, with each vertical strand representing a distinct cultural element. The first strand on the left features a First Nations strawberry pattern, symbolizing health and connection. Next, a geometric design reminiscent of those found on parkas reflects the personal and meaningful nature of Inuit traditions, serving as a reminder that healing is an individual journey. The final strand incorporates a Métis finger-weaving pattern, with subtle arrow motifs symbolizing progress and the weave itself representing strength in community. The horizontal strands are coloured in VLRC’s brand palette, representing their commitment to weaving traditional Indigenous knowledge into their work. Each of the three colours corresponds to VLRC’s core initiatives: Service Delivery, Engagement, and Learning. Illustration created by Design de Plume for the exclusive use of Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada.

Our actions will involve:

Collaborative Service Delivery:

VLRC will offer rehabilitation and health services that are responsive to Indigenous needs, adapted to their realities and delivered in a manner that respects their cultures and contributions. Our practice will enable us to work directly with Indigenous health centres and regional health authorities, community Councils and Elders to deliver services in a manner that demonstrates patience and flexibility and, wherever possible, is integrated with other services available within the community by Indigenous care providers.

The strawberry, or heart berry, is a symbol often associated with interconnectedness and health, since every part of the plant is edible and has medicinal properties. The plant’s roots are connected to the land just as the heart’s veins and arteries are connected to the human body.

Both hands holding the berry represent the shared knowledge and collaboration between the VLRC and Indigenous/regional health authorities.

Iconography created by Design de Plume for the exclusive use of Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada.

Continuous Engagement:

VLRC will participate in regionally based collaborations with First Nations, Metis and Inuit organizations and communities throughout Canada. Our objective will be to build relationships with partner organizations to support the delivery of services to Indigenous People and communities in every province and region where VLRC is active. We will share best practices and learnings among our leadership and publicly promote our progress. As we cultivate relationships, all our interactions will be grounded in building trust, respecting differences, and recognizing Indigenous culture, knowledge, and ways of doing. Engagement will be informed by an awareness of cultural safety and an understanding of the impact of historical trauma. We will approach this work understanding that it requires time and long-term commitment.  VLRC will be accountable for our commitments and to our partners.

The three figures, along with the three symbols, represent First Nations, Métis, and Inuit groups. The speech bubble above illustrates the collaboration and conversations of trust-building, respect, and ways of being between Indigenous groups and the VLRC.

The feather is used to represent First Nations groups, symbolizing respect, honour, and wisdom. The infinity symbol represents the joining of two distinct cultures (European and First Nations) to create the unique Métis culture. The ulu, a crescent-shaped knife often passed down through generations, represents Inuit history, traditions, and resilience.

Iconography created by Design de Plume for the exclusive use of Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada.

Organizational Learning:

All VLRC employees will be trained in cultural competency and safety training. We will offer a national training program to ensure consistent training is available to all staff, and we will seek opportunities for local and regional training to improve understanding of the diversity of First Nations, Metis and Inuit history and culture. VLRC will also collaborate with partner organizations like CNIB and DBCS to share resources and form advisory circles to inform our learning.

The turtle is the symbol of truth among the Seven Grandfather Teachings. It emphasizes the importance of living in accordance with the truth and being mindful of the interconnectedness of all things. Living in truth can mean speaking only from one's own experiences and learned knowledge.

North and Central America are also referred to as Turtle Island by many Indigenous groups. That origin story serves as a reminder of the responsibility humans have to protect and honour each other and the land.

Iconography created by Design de Plume for the exclusive use of Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada.

Through these initiatives, we aim to foster a more inclusive and equitable healthcare environment through these initiatives, answering the Calls to Action and advancing Truth and Reconciliation.