In a landmark move for Indigenous healthcare in Ontario, Brantford General Hospital and Willett Urgent Care Centre in Paris have jointly launched their first-ever Indigenous Health Strategy. This pioneering initiative, unveiled Thursday, represents a critical step toward addressing longstanding healthcare inequities faced by Indigenous communities across the region.
“This strategy isn’t just about improving healthcare—it’s about acknowledging historical wrongs and creating meaningful paths toward reconciliation,” said Dr. Elizabeth Cranford, Chief Medical Officer at Brantford General Hospital. “The disparities in health outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations remain stark and unacceptable in 2023.”
The comprehensive strategy was developed through extensive consultation with local First Nations communities, including Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Indigenous healthcare advocates, elders, and community members provided crucial guidance throughout the 18-month planning process.
At the core of the new approach is cultural safety training for all healthcare staff, the integration of traditional healing practices alongside conventional medicine, and dedicated Indigenous patient navigators to help community members access appropriate care. The hospitals have also committed to increasing Indigenous representation among healthcare providers and administrative leadership.
During the launch ceremony, Six Nations Health Services Director Lori Davis-Hill emphasized the significance of this collaboration. “For generations, our people have faced barriers to accessing culturally appropriate healthcare. This strategy acknowledges that Indigenous perspectives on health and wellbeing extend far beyond the absence of disease—they encompass physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual harmony.”
Statistics presented during the announcement highlighted the urgent need for change. Indigenous populations in Ontario continue to experience disproportionately higher rates of chronic diseases, mental health challenges, and shorter life expectancies compared to non-Indigenous residents. According to recent Ontario health data, these disparities have only widened during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The strategy’s implementation will begin immediately, with phase one focusing on staff education and creating more welcoming physical environments within hospital facilities. This includes dedicated spaces for traditional ceremonies and consulting with Indigenous knowledge keepers.
Provincial health authorities have expressed support for the initiative, with Ontario’s Minister of Health noting that this regional approach could serve as a model for other healthcare institutions across the province. The strategy aligns with broader national reconciliation efforts in healthcare following the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action.
Funding for the initiative comes from both provincial healthcare allocations and contributions from local foundations dedicated to improving community health outcomes. Hospital administrators acknowledge that sustainable funding will be crucial for the strategy’s long-term success.
“This isn’t a one-time project—it’s a fundamental shift in how we approach healthcare delivery,” explained Jennifer Winterton, Director of Patient Services. “We’re committing to ongoing evaluation, community feedback, and continuous improvement of these initiatives.”
As communities across Canada grapple with the complex task of reconciliation, this healthcare strategy represents a concrete step toward addressing systemic inequities. The question remains: will other regional health systems follow this example, creating a nationwide movement toward truly equitable healthcare for Indigenous peoples?
