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Creating Culturally Respectful Home Sharing for Indigenous Individuals
Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, and valued in their home, especially within home sharing settings. For Indigenous individuals, it’s essential that home sharing environments honor their cultures, traditions, identities, and histories, creating spaces that are both safe and culturally respectful.
What Does “Culturally Respectful” Mean?
A culturally respectful space for Indigenous people means:
- Honouring traditions, languages, and cultural practices.
- Using language that respects Indigenous identity.
- Challenging discrimination and unfair systems.
- Celebrating Indigenous culture all year, not just during special events.
Why This Matters in Home Sharing
In home sharing, people live together and share everyday life. For Indigenous individuals, it is important to feel safe to practice their culture, speak their language, and stay connected to their community. This helps them feel at home and improves their well-being.
Example:
Maria, an Elder from the Coast Salish Nation, moved into a home sharing environment in Nanaimo. Her home sharing provider asked Maria how she would like to honor her traditions and facilitated visits to local gatherings. They set up space in the home where Maria could practice traditional beadwork and smudging. Maria said, “I feel respected and truly at home here.”
How to Create a Culturally Respectful Environment
Respect Cultural Practices
Examples:
- Ask what ceremonies or cultural activities are important and offer support to attend them.
- Make sure the home allows smudging (check ventilation and landlord rules if needed).
- Have kitchen space or tools available for traditional cooking, like fish drying racks or clay pots.
- Learn about important dates like National Indigenous Peoples Day.
Use Inclusive Language
Examples:
- Ask how the person would like to be identified and practice saying their name correctly.
- Use Nation-specific language when possible (e.g., “Nisga’a” or “Syilx” rather than just “Indigenous”).
- Avoid saying things like “they all believe…” or “they all do…” which generalize people.
- If unsure about a term, respectfully ask or look it up from a trusted Indigenous source.
Support Community Connections
Examples:
- Help the person attend Powwows, ceremonies, or community feasts.
- Ask if they would like to connect with Elders, Knowledge Keepers, or Indigenous friendship centres.
- Support travel or time off to visit home communities.
- Display materials like calendars or artwork from Indigenous artists to reflect culture.
Address Discrimination Right Away
Examples:
- If someone says something disrespectful, calmly say: “That language is not okay here.”
- Offer to talk privately with someone who may not understand why something is offensive.
- Report or follow up with your agency if racism or bias is happening.
- Be a role model by speaking respectfully and showing kindness in daily conversations.
Resources by Region
South Fraser:
- Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association: Offers cultural programs, counseling, and support services.
- Kekinow Native Housing Society: Provides safe, affordable housing and cultural support.
Southern Interior:
- Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society: Cultural events, counseling, and supportive housing programs.
- Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society: Offers education, youth support, and cultural initiatives.
North & Thompson Cariboo:
- Cariboo Friendship Society: Cultural programming, housing services, and family support.
- Quesnel Tillicum Society: Provides culturally relevant support services for individuals and families.
Vancouver Coastal West:
- Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society: Offers cultural activities, social support, and housing assistance.
- Indigenous Health – Vancouver Coastal Health: Provides culturally safe health services and resources.
Vancouver Coastal East:
- Aboriginal Mother Centre Society: Supportive housing, childcare, and wellness programs.
- Britannia Community Services Centre: Indigenous cultural programs, community events, and resources.
Vancouver Island:
- Victoria Native Friendship Centre: Cultural support, family services, and housing assistance.
- Hulitan Family and Community Services Society: Offers Indigenous-centered family programs and supports.
- Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre: Provides educational programs, health services, and cultural events.