Promoting Healing Through Culturally Sensitive Care

From previous discussions, we know that it is well documented that many factors contribute to health. In the case of Indigenous people of Canada, there are many underlying determinants that contribute to poor health, including historical impacts of colonialization, poverty, and overcrowded reserves (National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health, 2013). The impact of these factors is exacerbated by the lack of trust in the Western approaches of healthcare, which is fueled by decades of experienced bias and discrimination by the Indigenous people of Canada (Health Council of Canada, 2012). In addition to improving common determinants of health, reinstating trust in the Canadian healthcare system, through culturally sensitive services, is essential in improving the health of Indigenous people of Canada. The Ottawa hospital has implemented certain programs to improve the care that is delivered to Indigenous patients and families. These include accommodating smudging ceremonies, the Windocage Community Room, and a dedicated Indigenous cancer program.

Smudging Ceremonies

Smudging is a traditional practice of some First Nations and Metis peoples in which participants light traditional, medicinal plants and waft the smoke when someone is born, someone dies, or during a crisis. To promote a culturally safe and respectful environment, the Ottawa Hospital has implemented this program to accommodate Indigenous patients’ spiritual practices. Patients can request a smudging ceremony at any one of the Ottawa Hospital campuses, which can accommodate the ceremony in dedicated outdoor spaces, indoor spaces, and in rare situations where a patient cannot be moved, in the patient’s room (The Ottawa Hospital, n.d.). 

Smudging Preparation Tray, The Ottawa Hospital

Windocage Community Room

This room was particularly designed to serve as a welcoming space and accommodate our First Nations, Inuit, and Metis patients and families. Strategically designed with neutral colours and natural materials, the room is meant to reflect the natural world, while creating a welcoming space to relax, reflect and re-energize for patients and families while they are in the hospital (The Ottawa Hospital, 2020).

Windocage Community Room, The Ottawa Hospital

The Indigenous Cancer Program

Among many other chronic conditions, cancer remains a common health problem among the Aboriginal communities. Cancer care is also a major branch of the Ottawa hospital, and the Indigenous Cancer Program was designed to improve the cancer care experience of Indigenous people (The Ottawa Hospital, 2020).

The program supports Indigenous patients and their families by:

• Helping to navigate the health-care system

• Helping to co-ordinate services

• Liaising with members of the health-care team to ensure continuity of care

• Helping to access language and translation services

• Helping during clinic visits and other appointments

• Helping to prepare patients for their first appointment within the cancer program

References Health Council of Canada. (2012, December). Empathy, dignity, and respect: Creating cultural safety for Aboriginal people in urban health care. https://healthcouncilcanada.ca/files/Aboriginal_Report_EN_web_final.pdf

National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health. (2013). An Overview of Aboriginal Health in Canada. https://www.ccnsa-nccah.ca/docs/context/FS-OverviewAbororiginalHealth-EN.pdf

The Ottawa Hospital. (n.d.). Corporate Standard Operating Procedure - Smudging Ceremony (SOP 01716, ADM VIII 900). https://www.ottawahospital.on.ca/en/documents/2019/07/sop-smudging-ceremony-en-wcag.pdf/

The Ottawa Hospital. (2020, October 5). Indigenous Cancer Progarm. https://www.ottawahospital.on.ca/en/clinical-services/deptpgrmcs/programs/cancer-program/what-we-offer-our-programs-and-services/indigenous-cancer-program/