The Ottawa Hospital is located upon the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin people and respects the traditional knowledge and healing developed over generations. The region we now know as the Ottawa Valley was a part of the Algonquin people’s busy trade route along the Ottawa River and other nearby waterways.
The Ottawa Hospital serves the three distinct Indigenous groups in Canada — First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. In addition to Algonquin host nations — Algonquins of Pikwakanagan and Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg — The Ottawa Hospital serves the people of Akwesasne as well as Urban Indigenous First Nation, Inuit, and Métis of many backgrounds now living in the Ottawa area. The Ottawa Hospital also serves Inuit from the Eastern or Qikiqtaaluk or Baffin region of Nunavut.
The Ottawa Hospital’s commitment to reconciliation is embedded in its strategic plan to better ensure a hospital-wide approach to culturally safe care. Here are just a few ways The Ottawa Hospital is working to create culturally safe and respectful spaces and care for patients and families who identify as First Nations, Inuit, and Métis.
The Ottawa Hospital established the Champlain Indigenous Cancer Program in 2015 to help improve the cancer care experience of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis patients through culturally safe care, patient navigation, spiritual support, and connections to community.
The team includes a regional Indigenous Clinical Lead, an Indigenous Nurse Navigator, and an Indigenous Program Coordinator. These dedicated people work closely with First Nations, Inuit and Métis patients and family members in the Champlain region to improve access to cancer care services in a respectful, culturally appropriate way.
Located near the Cancer Centre at The Ottawa Hospital’s General Campus, the Windòcàge Community Room is available to all First Nation, Inuit, and Métis patients and family members as a quiet space for relaxation, reflection, or ceremony. Windòcàge is an Algonquin word meaning “to lend a hand,” symbolizing the support and comfort that we hope the room will provide patients. Patients and families are welcome to smudge in Windòcàge or may smudge in the nearby outdoor meditation garden (open spring, summer, and fall).
Indigenous cultural practices including smudging and lighting the qulliq may be an important part of the healing journey. Patients are welcome to bring their own medicines. Smudge kits and access to a qulliq can be requested at the Civic and General campuses. To smudge or light the qulliq, patients or family members can speak to their care team. Please note that currently smudging and qulliq requests are facilitated during the Spiritual Care team’s business hours, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Patients at the General Campus can receive an Indigenous Food Menu. Designed with guidance from Indigenous partners, the menu features familiar options such as Arctic char, meat stew (elk, caribou), broth (elk, beef, chicken), and bannock. Patients who would like to enjoy options from the Indigenous Food Menu during their stay can let their care team know.
Dedicated services for First Nation, Inuit, and Metis patients and families are shaped with the guidance of Indigenous partners.
The Ottawa Hospital’s journey to reconciliation is guided by the Indigenous Peoples Advisory Circle — a group of First Nation, Inuit, and Métis leaders, healthcare providers, and community members — whose knowledge is helping us build a better future for Indigenous health and healing. The priorities identified by the Indigenous Peoples Advisory Circle are outlined in the Indigenous Engagement Framework and Action Plan, a roadmap to guide The Ottawa Hospital on our reconciliation journey.
Members of the Indigenous Patient and Family Advisory Committee provide feedback, insights, lived experiences, and recommendations to help guide the planning and implementation of safe, equitable healthcare, free of discrimination, based on their lived experiences as patients and families.
The Ottawa Hospital’s Indigenous Employee Network’s ongoing goal is to create a safe space for self-identified First Nations, Inuit, and Métis employees at The Ottawa Hospital and their allies to connect, share experiences, and celebrate Indigenous culture. The network is always happy to welcome more members.
We recognize that we are only at the beginning of our reconciliation journey, and we are fully committed to ensuring that everyone feels welcome and that Indigenous Peoples have access to safe cultural care.
