By Kerri Loudoun, EDI Committee Member (kerri.loudoun@skipatrol.ca)
As ski patrollers, our goal is simple: to provide aid, comfort, and safety to anyone who needs it. When winter arrives, we gather from all walks of life to care for our communities. However, truly caring for our guests requires us to understand who they are and the history of the lands we patrol.
On September 30, Canada observes the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. Coming just ahead of our winter operations, this day offers CSP members a vital opportunity to reflect on our role in active reconciliation, cultural safety, and trauma-informed community care.
Why this matters to ski patrollers
Every ski resort, backcountry trail, and Nordic centre across Canada sits on the traditional, ancestral, and often unceded territories of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. The mountains and wilderness areas we love and protect have been stewarded by Indigenous nations since time immemorial.
As first responders, our interactions with the public happen during moments of high stress, pain, and vulnerability. Understanding the historical and ongoing impacts of systemic trauma – such as the legacy of the residential school system – allows us to approach patient care with deeper empathy, respect, and awareness.
CSPs land acknowledgment
Land acknowledgement is an Indigenous protocol, part of Indigenous tradition and custom. By making a land acknowledgement, we recognize the ties the descendants of the First Peoples have to the land – its importance to their culture, ceremonies, and traditions.
Land acknowledgement is also one of many critical components of reconciliation. It demonstrates recognition of, and respect for, Indigenous peoples and their lands in the context of the past, present, and future. It is a sign of respect and recognition, and it is hard to go wrong with respect and recognition.
In discussions with the equity, diversity, and inclusion committee members, we offer this suggested wording for those patrols who wish to acknowledge the land on which they patrol. Should you choose to recognize the territory on which you patrol, you are encouraged to do so with the following wording:
To determine on which lands you patrol, please click this link. Beyond just filling in the blanks of the land acknowledgement, we encourage you to learn more about the rich culture and history of the Indigenous peoples in your specific patrol area.
Bridging patrol and reconciliation
Some more ways we can turn reflection into action this season:
- Practicing cultural safety: Cultural safety means ensuring that Indigenous patients feel respected, heard, and free from judgment when receiving medical aid. Avoid assumptions, listen actively, and respect a patient’s comfort levels regarding personal space and traditional items or medicines they may carry.
- Understanding trauma-informed care: Physical trauma is often accompanied by emotional distress. Acknowledging that systemic barriers can cause certain groups to mistrust institutional authority or emergency services helps us adjust our tone, offering gentle, transparent, and reassuring care.
- Learning local land histories: Take the time before the snow flies to learn which Indigenous nations traditionally care for the land your ski area occupies. Share this knowledge with your zone and fellow patrollers.
As we gear up for the 2026–2027 season, let’s commit to expanding our training beyond first aid manuals and radio protocols. True patrol excellence lies in our ability to build a winter community where everyone – regardless of their background – can find sanctuary and safety on the snow.
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