Skip navigation

Addressing the Expectations of the Indigenous Cultural Safety and Health Equity Standards

In January 2025, new Standards of Practice came into effect for physiotherapists in Alberta. These Standards establish requirements for delivering culturally safe, equitable, and non-discriminatory physiotherapy services. Prior to the implementation of the new standards, on September 30, 2024, the College published the Indigenous Cultural Safety, Health Equity, and Anti-Discrimination Guide which is intended to support registrant understanding of these important topics.

While two standards have been established, they share many foundational elements which can be grouped into the following categories:

  • Reflective practice and ongoing professional development
  • Creation of safe health-care experiences and anti-racist practice
  • Development of effective therapeutic relationships with clients
  • Provision of trauma-informed physiotherapy services

The College acknowledges the need for additional resources to support physiotherapist understanding of and adherence to these Standards of Practice.

Repository of Resources

The following table offers a centralized repository of resources designed to help physiotherapists access relevant guidance, educational materials, and supports for meeting the Indigenous Cultural Safety & Humility, and Health Equity & Anti-Discrimination Standards of Practice.

These resources represent options for further professional development. None are mandatory. It is up to the individual physiotherapist to identify their learning needs and the resources they need to access in order to fulfill the requirements of the standards.

This repository is a work in progress. Our objective is to add further resources as they are identified.

Treaty Info (Government, Other Document):

Legislation (Government, Other Document):

Indigenous Canada (UofA MOOC) – Module 11 (University, Course)

Page updated: 09/10/2025