Guiding Lights: Darlene Dalby
Darlene Dalby works as an Indigenous health liaison with Fraser Health to ensure Indigenous patients feel culturally safe.
“Cultural safety depends on the Indigenous patient to say, ‘I feel culturally safe,’” says Darlene.
“Most of the time, our Indigenous patients feel very vulnerable, very unheard. We let the patients lead the conversation. I let them know that I’m there for them. We connect with Indigenous people to make them feel respected and safe in the hospital. I ask for consent, and we make sure there is a good relationship.”
Her team triages patients who need immediate support and visits those who have been in the hospital for a while, offering encouragement or prayer. She spends time smudging with patients and arranging Elder visits.
Darlene also works at the University of British Columbia (UBC) as a facilitator for the Indigenous Cultural Safety Program. She facilitates workshops for future health-care professionals studying at UBC to learn about cultural safety in health care.
Darlene says she enjoys the work, as the school ensures that facilitators and Indigenous students feel safe. All students learn about Indigenous people and their experiences in the health- care system.
“It fills my soul to know that these practitioners are being taught in a good way,” says Darlene. “We do a lot of story sharing and cultural case scenarios of things that could be better in health care, giving them first-hand experience before they start their practice.”
As a new steward, she is learning from the rest of the steward team and has helped answer questions about case scenarios, minimum nurse-to-patient ratios and the collective agreement.
“BCNU is a very strong union. We have a lot of backing if people feel vulnerable at work,” she says. “The steward role is essential in guiding members through the contract because it is massive. It’s a big undertaking just to pick it up and know your rights.”
10 questions with Darlene Dalby
What is one word you would use to describe yourself?
Curious.
If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?
The question doesn’t translate from an Indigenous perspective. You never really want to change something about yourself. If you see opportunities, you go for them; if you see things that could be improved, you just do it. As you see obstacles and challenges in life, you just overcome them.
What is one thing about you that people would be surprised to learn?
I didn’t start my nursing career until age 40, when I went back to school.
Where did you go on your last vacation?
Italy, with my husband.
Name one place in the world you’d most like to visit.
Thailand.
What was the last good thing you read?
Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese, an Ojibwe author born in Ontario who has lived most of his life in Kamloops.
What was the best piece of career advice you’ve received?
My mom (Karen) always told me to work hard to achieve your goals.
What do you like most about being a nurse?
It is so versatile. I’ve worked in maternity, palliative care, hospice, surgical and ambulatory day care.
What do you like least about being a nurse?
Being short-staffed.
Name one change you would like to make to the health-care system.
Fraser Health and BCNU have made good commitments to Indigenous cultural safety and Truth and Reconciliation. But there is still work to be done.
UPDATE (Spring 2025)