A guide to services at The Ottawa Hospital for Indigenous patients and families

Press Release

At The Ottawa Hospital, we are committed to providing culturally safe, respectful care for First Nation, Inuit and Métis patients and families.

Here are just a few of the dedicated services available to First Nation, Inuit and Métis patients when you are in our care:

Smudging

We recognize that smudging may be an important part of your healing journey. Smudging is possible at all of our campuses. You are welcome to bring your own medicines, and we also have smudge kits available upon request. If you would like to smudge, please speak to your care team and they will connect you with our spiritual care team, who can provide you with medicines and space for smudging Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Inuit Country Food Menu

Beginning this summer, we will offer an Inuit Country Food Menu to patients in our cancer program. Designed with guidance from Indigenous partners, the menu features familiar options such as Arctic char, caribou stew and bannock. If you are a patient with cancer and would like to enjoy options from the Country Food Menu during your stay, simply let your care team know.

The Windòcàge Community Room

If you are spending time at the General Campus, we invite you to relax in our Windòcàge Community Room, a quiet, dedicated space for First Nation, Inuit and Métis patients, families and community members to gather, reflect and heal. “Windòcàge” is an Algonquin word meaning “to lend a hand,” symbolizing the support and comfort that we hope the room will provide you. The room looks out onto a fireplace lounge and is close to an outdoor meditation garden (open spring, summer and fall) where you are welcome to smudge. You can reach the garden via the Psychosocial Oncology Program’s offices.

Indigenous Cancer Program

The Champlain Indigenous Cancer Program was established to help improve the cancer care experience of First Nation, Inuit and Métis patients and loved ones. If you are visiting us on your cancer care journey, this program is designed to ensure you receive culturally sensitive and safe care.

A commitment to walking the path of reconciliation

To better understand what care truly means to you, we continue to listen to and learn from Indigenous patients, families, staff, leaders, physicians and community members.

The Ottawa Hospital’s journey to reconciliation is guided by the Indigenous Peoples Advisory Circle — a group of First Nation, Inuit and Métis leaders, health-care 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 health care, free of discrimination, based on their lived experiences as patients and families.

We also understand that to care for our patients, we must also care for our staff and physicians. Through the Indigenous Employee Network, Indigenous staff and allies come together to support one another, share experiences and celebrate Indigenous cultures.

We recognize that we are only at the beginning of our reconciliation journey, and we are fully committed to ensuring everyone feels welcome and Indigenous Peoples have access to safe cultural care.

IHT4