NSWOCC Recognizes and Celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day 2026
- NSWOCC
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
On June 21, NSWOCC joins people across Canada in recognizing National Indigenous Peoples Day, a time to celebrate the rich cultures, histories, languages, knowledge systems, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.
As we mark this important day, NSWOCC reaffirms its commitment to advancing Truth and Reconciliation and supporting equitable access to culturally safe wound, ostomy, and continence care for Indigenous Peoples across Canada.
Advancing Indigenous Health Equity through the Indigenous Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Health Core Program
Through the Indigenous Wound, Ostomy and Continence Health Core Program, NSWOCC continues to work alongside Indigenous leaders, healthcare professionals, and community members to promote culturally responsive care and improve health outcomes for Indigenous Peoples.
A key focus of the program is the integration of cultural safety into the NSWOCC National Standards of Practice. This important initiative seeks to ensure the standards reflect and respect Indigenous knowledge, traditions, experiences, and ways of knowing, while promoting more equitable and culturally responsive care. By embedding cultural safety principles into the standards, the program aims to help address systemic barriers and foster a more inclusive approach to wound, ostomy, and continence health across Canada.
Launching the New Evidence-Based Skin Tear Assessment and Classification Toolkit for Indigenous Skin Tones
This year, we are also pleased to highlight the launch of the new Evidence-Based Skin Tear Assessment and Classification Toolkit for Indigenous Skin Tones, developed in partnership with members of the NSWOCC Indigenous Wound, Ostomy and Continence Health Core Program.
Officially launched during ISTAP World Without Skin Tears Day 2026 on April 9, 2026 through the presentation Adapting the Skin Tear Classification Tool to Support Indigenous Cultural Safety by Michelle Buffalo, BScN, RN, NSWOC, WOCC(C), Bev Smith, BScN, RN, NSWOC, and Dr. Kevin Woo, PhD, RN, FAPWCA, NSWOC, WOCC(C), FNSWOC, the toolkit was created to support culturally safe, equitable, and person-centred skin tear assessment and management for Indigenous Peoples across Canada.
The toolkit includes three complementary resources:
ISTAP™ Indigenous Skin Tear Decision Algorithm
ISTAP™ Skin Tear Risk Assessment Pathway for Indigenous People
ISTAP™ Assessment and Treatment Pathway for Indigenous People with Skin Tears
The presentation recording is available on demand through the International Skin Tear Advisory Panel (ISTAP), linked below.
As we celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, we recognize that reconciliation is an ongoing journey that requires listening, learning, relationship-building, and meaningful action. NSWOCC remains committed to supporting Indigenous-led initiatives, advancing culturally safe care, and fostering equitable health outcomes for Indigenous Peoples across Canada.
