By any standard, the Building Bridges 2 initiative has met and in some instances exceeded the original expectations. The following overarching objectives have been met for this Phase Two initiative and will serve as the foundation for an action-oriented agenda as we move forward:

• We have researched and analyzed cultural safety within the context of the Canadian population with specific reference to Aboriginal peoples and mental health consumers.
• We are now equipped to develop a five-year strategic plan on cultural safety which will allow us to deal with major systemic issues and barriers such as labelling and discrimination, colonialism, racism and stigma and discrimination in a planned and progressive manner. The plan will focus on the need to:

• • Develop a national strategic framework for improving culturally and linguistically appropriate services in mental health care for mental health consumers and Aboriginal peoples.
  • Determine how we can ensure meaningful development and delivery of effective and culturally appropriate services for Aboriginal people and mental health consumers in Canada.
  • Determine what kind of forums can be developed in order to address the issue of cultural safety and service delivery and coordinate meaningful responses.
  • Develop national standards for culturally and linguistically appropriate services in mental health care for Aboriginal peoples and mental health consumers.