What principles guide our work?
At the Asante Centre, we choose to be part of a world that works together to know better and do better to address developmental stress.
We celebrate the unique gifts of people with diverse abilities, and recognize the right of every person to feel their inherent value through the support of understanding and engaged communities.
We acknowledge that people with developmental diversities are experts in their needs and abilities, and must direct any work related to them.
We do not just follow best practices; we lead them.
Statement of Reconciliation
The Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Society for British Columbia (BC), governing body of the Asante Centre, is committed to the prevention of FASD, and to helping individuals and families with FASD and other neurodevelopmental conditions exceed their own expectations. We do that through responsive services designed by people who use them, and by sharing what we know with communities who want to better understand developmental disabilities.
The Asante Centre has been a leader in the fields of FASD and other neurodevelopmental conditions for nearly twenty years and has provided and continues to provide services and supports to Indigenous peoples across British Columbia and abroad in a variety of capacities. The Asante Centre has committed to an in depth internal and external reconciliation transformational process so that they can not only provide culturally relevant and respectful services and assessments to Indigenous peoples and communities but to also advocate for changes in the way the healthcare system views and interacts with Indigenous peoples. We acknowledge the traditional territory of the Indigenous peoples that we operate on.
The Asante Centre acknowledges the colonial history and legislative oppression (inclusive of residential schools, Indian hospitals, and 60’s scoop) which has led to, and continues to perpetuate, the disproportionate levels of Indigenous peoples with mental health and physical health issues.
The Asante Centre’s advocacy efforts are to change the dominant narrative that FASD is an Indigenous issue; in truth, neurodevelopmental conditions affect everyone regardless of age, culture, financial status, etc. The Asante Centre would like to advocate for strengths-based perspectives regarding FASD and a healing-centered approach so that a more holistic lens can be applied to individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions. As part of the Centre’s advocacy efforts, we would like to honour Indigenous approaches to healing and wellness and strive to incorporate these traditional practices into our work. It is our view, that we have much to learn from the Indigenous worldview as it pertains to wellness for developmental stressors and diverse abilities.
The Asante Centre commits to taking action on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. The Asante Centre has a desire to influence change within the context of their assessment work in the field of neurodevelopmental conditions as well as advocate for change for Indigenous peoples in the healthcare field. The Asante Centre commits to responding to the following specific Calls to Action in a respectful, meaningful, and fulsome way:
18. …that the current state of Aboriginal health in Canada is a direct result of previous Canadian government policies, including residential schools, and to recognize and implement the health-care rights of Aboriginal people…
19. …to establish measureable goals to identify and close the gaps in health outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities…
22. We call upon those who can effect change within the Canadian health-care system to recognize the value of Aboriginal healing practices and use them in the treatment of Aboriginal patients in collaboration with Aboriginal healers and Elders where requested by Aboriginal patients.
23. iii. Provide cultural competency training for all health-care professionals.
24. We call upon medical and nursing schools in Canada to require all students to take a course dealing with Aboriginal health issues, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, and Indigenous teachings and practices. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.
33. We call upon the federal, provincial, and territorial governments to recognize as a high priority the need to address and prevent Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), and to develop, in collaboration with Aboriginal people, FASD preventive programs that can be delivered in a culturally appropriate manner.
34. We call upon the governments of Canada, the provinces, and territories to undertake reforms to the criminal justice system to better address the needs of offenders with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), including
i. Providing increased community resources and powers for courts to ensure that FASD is properly diagnosed, and that appropriate community supports are in place for those with FASD.
ii. Enacting statutory exemptions from mandatory minimum sentences of imprisonment for offenders affected by FASD.
iii. Providing community, correctional, and parole resources to maximize the ability of people with FASD to live in the community.
iv. Adopting appropriate evaluation mechanisms to measure the effectiveness of such programs and ensures community safety.
We are committed to implementing the specific calls to action within the mandate and framework of our organization.
The Asante Centre is committed to expanding our partnerships with Indigenous communities across British Columbia where there is a desire to create direct relationships.
The Asante Centre commitment to reconciliation goes beyond this Statement of Reconciliation and intends to bring the commitments within this statement to life in the everyday operation and interaction with Indigenous peoples, communities, and organizations.
Our Board Chair, Board of Directors, Executive Director, and all levels of senior management unanimously approve the Asante Centre’s Statement of Reconciliation. This statement is reflective of the Asante Centre’s commitment to know better and do better as well as upholding the three fundamental values of respect, integrity, and collaboration.
