SIPA’s Indigenous Values
SIPA is excited to share our newly developed “Indigenous Values” in our interactions with each other, and with all of our stakeholders, that will nurture positive and lasting change in the community.
Pakikipag-bayanihan para sa kapakanan, katarungan, karapatan ng ating kapwa-tao.
Coming together for the wellbeing, justice, and human rights of our community.
KAPWA - Humankind
In the spirit of bayanihan - translated as a “communal energy and enthusiasm” - we celebrate our common humanity, highlighting our interconnectedness and shared bonds with each other. Our goal is to nurture communities where we support each other, promote growth, and empower one another. We are dedicated to assisting and inspiring each other through cooperation and reciprocal support, thereby fostering mutual reliance, collective growth, and empowerment. In collaboration with communities, we aim to actively involve members in shaping and achieving collective goals.
KAPAKANAN - Wellbeing
We believe in equitable access to optimal health and wellbeing for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, geography, preferred language, or any other defining factor. In fact, enhancing the health and wellbeing of our communities and advancing health equity is one of our primary purposes. To accomplish this, we believe in centering and amplifying marginalized people’s needs and lived experiences to ensure their voices are prominent in identifying solutions, setting priorities, and driving systemic change.
Our commitment extends to breaking the cycles of intergenerational trauma - the transmission of psychological and emotional wounds from one generation to the next, often stemming from experiences of significant adversity, such as child abuse, violence, poverty, as well as colonization, war, genocide, displacement and immigration. This trauma can affect individuals, families, and entire communities,
shaping their identities, relationships, and wellbeing over successive generations. Addressing intergenerational trauma involves interventions that recognize historical realities, validate experiences, promote healing, resilience, and cultural empowerment.
KARANGALAN - Honor
We strive for excellence and integrity as we serve and engage our communities. Accountability is
paramount to us; we hold ourselves responsible to our mission and our stakeholders. Additionally, we are
committed to continuous learning and ongoing improvement as we pursue our goals.
KATARUNGAN - Social Justice
We advocate for the recognition of everyone’s inherent humanity and right to equitable treatment, as well as the fair distribution of social, political, and economic resources and responsibilities.
We cultivate fairness in our communities through the practice of restorative justice principles which emphasize healing rather than punishment.
We focus on addressing the needs of victims, offenders, and the community as a whole to achieve the fairest resolutions possible.
We provide equitable opportunities to empower community members to achieve their full potential regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability, or any other characteristic.
Integrating the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) into all our endeavors is integral to upholding this pledge.
Embracing diversity entails acknowledging and celebrating the many unique differences among people, including varying racial, gender, and ethnic backgrounds, diverse cultures, beliefs, socioeconomic statuses, abilities, and neurodiversity. This especially prioritizes those from historically marginalized communities. Engaging different people with openness presents us with an opportunity to enrich our cultural understanding and forge authentic connections.
Equity involves advocating for fairness and justice. It acknowledges that people do not start from the same place due to factors such as historical injustices, race, class, gender, and more. Pursuing equity means actively addressing present or past conditions that have hindered the progress of certain groups, by actively creating pathways for them to access opportunities that have traditionally been more readily available to privileged groups. The ultimate aim of equity is to reshape systems and societal norms to break down the barriers that perpetuate inequality.
Inclusion refers to the deliberate effort to ensure that diverse perspectives, identities, and backgrounds are not only represented, but are also valued, respected and empowered to fully engage and contribute within various environments. It means actively involving everyone in processes and activities, providing equal access to resources and opportunities, and fostering a sense of belonging for all.
Accessibility involves fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for everyone and removing physical, digital, or attitudinal barriers that may hinder the participation or achievement of people with disabilities. We prioritize accessibility by creating spaces and resources that enable everyone to fully engage and contribute.
