Indigenous Wellness and Cultural Competency
Supporting Indigenous Nations and advancing meaningful inclusion
At Total Employee Care, we are proud to support the wellness, culture, and rights of Indigenous Peoples across Canada. We recognize the history, strength, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, and we believe that reconciliation means action, not just awareness.
As part of that commitment, we have introduced 🌿 Indigenous Wellness and Cultural Competency as a dedicated wellness add-on available to all clients. This program is designed to provide Indigenous-specific training and culturally grounded wellness support, and it integrates directly with your existing benefits offerings.
This wellness add-on was developed with the needs of Indigenous employees, Indigenous-owned businesses, and Indigenous Nations in mind. It also serves non-Indigenous employers seeking to build stronger relationships with Indigenous communities through cultural workshops, wellness programming, and protocol training.
What This Add-On Includes
This offering was created in collaboration with Indigenous leaders and providers to ensure it is authentic, impactful, and respectful of diverse community needs.
Covered services may include:
• Indigenous-led wellness programming and cultural safety training
• Elder-led ceremonies and land-based healing experiences
• Cultural workshops and teachings
• Guidance on Indigenous workplace engagement and protocols
Employers may choose to include specific eligible services that align with their team values and community focus.
How It Works
🌿 Indigenous Wellness and Cultural Competency is a wellness add-on that fits seamlessly into existing plans through our myWSA and myFlexplan options.
myWSA – Wellness Spending Account
• Covers culturally meaningful wellness items such as ceremony supplies, regalia, language programs, and crafts
• Supports proactive care, emotional balance, and cultural identity
• Employers define eligible services, allowing full alignment with community goals
myFlexplan – Flexible Allocation
• Allows employees to allocate credits between general wellness and Indigenous cultural supports
• Respects personal choice and diverse needs within Indigenous communities
• Easily integrates with existing plan designs without increasing administrative complexity
This benefit is available to any organization and especially supports:
• Indigenous Nations and band councils
• Indigenous-owned businesses
• Employers working in partnership with Indigenous communities
• Non-Indigenous organizations seeking to foster cultural awareness and inclusion
How It Works
Health is not just physical. It is emotional, spiritual, and cultural. This offering reflects Indigenous understandings of wellness and creates space for traditions to be supported, not sidelined.
By including Indigenous Wellness and Cultural Competency in your benefits strategy, you support reconciliation in practice while offering all employees access to a broader, more inclusive model of care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a DEI initiative or a benefits offering?
This is a wellness benefit designed specifically for Indigenous wellness and cultural support. It is separate from general DEI training and directly integrates with wellness accounts like myWSA and myFlexplan.
Can employees from non-Indigenous backgrounds use this benefit?
Yes. While this benefit was created to support Indigenous employees and communities, it is available to all employees. Some services, like cultural training or workshops, are open to everyone and can help foster understanding and respect across the workplace.
Does this replace or overlap with existing benefits?
No. It complements existing wellness coverage by adding an Indigenous-specific category. It integrates smoothly with current plans and can be activated without disrupting other coverage.
Conclusion
A wellness strategy that includes Indigenous communities must reflect more than mainstream care. It must honour culture, language, ceremony, and self-determination. This add-on allows employers to do exactly that while keeping their benefit offerings flexible, practical, and culturally aligned.
Let us help you build a benefit plan that truly supports the communities you care about.
We welcome guidance and feedback from Indigenous communities as we continue to shape and improve this offering.
Ready to Offer a Better Benefit?
