Spotlight on Alexandria West


As part of creating some knowledge mobilization material about the research findings of PAN’s Making it Work Project, we interviewed Alexandria West, Executive Director of Positive Living North in Prince George. As a Making it Work study team member, Alex shares her thoughts on some themes of cultural safety and harm reduction in the following audio clips.

 

What does cultural safety mean to you and your organization?
We are guided by elders. (0:52 sec)

 

How can cultural safety be strengthened?
Create an inviting space and build relationships. “Central Interior” shout out refers to Central Interior Native Health.  (0:49 sec)

 

What would strengthen peer leadership?
Making a difference involves building a community to help educate. (1:04 sec)

 

What are some examples of practicing harm reduction in your organization?
It is about creating connection and caring (1:10 min)

 

What can help connect harm reduction with culture?
A unique program that facilitates connection to culture. (1:20 sec)

 


The Spotlight on Community blog series is about highlighting the people, organizations, and initiatives of PAN members and allies. It is an opportunity to raise awareness and learn more about each other. We want to feature a diverse range of people including people with lived/living experience, community-based & frontline workers, advocates, researchers, and educators.

Are you or your organization interested in being featured in PAN’s Spotlight on Community blog series? Contact Jennifer Demchuk, Acting Director of Research and Evaluation.