When Niagara Health launched its inaugural Indigenous Health Services and Reconciliation (IHSR) Plan in 2024, it laid the foundation for a transformational journey – one focused on education, awareness and empowering frontline staff with the tools they need to provide culturally safe care for Indigenous Peoples.  

Developed in partnership with the Indigenous community and shaped through extensive engagement, the IHSR Plan marked a pivotal shift in how Niagara Health approaches health equity and partnership with the Indigenous community. Education and training were identified as critical pathways for embedding this into every corner of the organization.  

“Our plan is not just a strategy,” says Charity Beland, Manager of Indigenous Health Services and Reconciliation at Niagara Health. “It’s a commitment to change - building a healthcare system where Indigenous patients and their families are seen, respected and safe. It’s the foundation for everything we’re doing.”  

Recognizing that meaningful change requires collaboration, Niagara Health became the first hospital in Ontario to enter into partnership with the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council (IPHCC). Formalized earlier this year, this collaboration provides the organization with the guidance, resources and Indigenous-led expertise required to roll out meaningful, high-impact education across all levels of care.  ​

“The work we’re doing cannot happen in isolation,” says Beland. “Our partnership with IPHCC ensures we are not just acting with intention, but with direction from Indigenous health leaders who understand what’s needed on the ground. Together, we’re equipping our teams with the knowledge to provide care that honours Indigenous culture and identity.”  

The Indigenous education strategy at Niagara Health is rooted in two complementary training programs that reflect both the spirit and action of the IHSR Plan.

The first is San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training – a foundational course designed to deepen understanding of Indigenous history, systemic inequities and the role that implicit bias plays in healthcare.  

The second is 4 Seasons of Reconciliation, which builds on the San’yas training by offering a broader lens on truth-telling, intergenerational trauma and how historical injustices continue to affect Indigenous health outcomes today.  

Niagara Health is ensuring that this education begins with leadership, but reaches every level of care. Leaders are the first to complete both training programs – an intentional approach that allows them to become ambassadors and mentors when the courses are expanded to staff.   

“We’re starting with our leaders so they can guide and support frontline teams when the full rollout begins,” says Beland. “This training isn’t just about individual awareness. It’s about shaping environments where cultural safety is practiced every day – in every patient interaction.”  

Driving this change on the ground is Niagara Health’s dedicated IHSR team, who play a central role in supporting staff as they engage with this important work. Through regular huddles, drop-in sessions and site visits, the team creates space for honest dialogue, encourages curiosity and helps staff connect with the right learning opportunities and cultural resources.  

This education is especially critical in high-pressure areas of the hospital like the Emergency Department (ED), where patients often experience care during vulnerable or crisis moments. Recognizing this, Niagara Health has also launched a specialized training module focused on preventing Indigenous specific racism and discrimination in emergency settings. Developed in partnership with the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres, this pilot program will support both pre-hospital and in-hospital ED teams.  

“By equipping our teams with the tools to recognize harmful behaviours, respond to bias and create supportive spaces, we’re ensuring Indigenous patients receive safe, compassionate care starting at the front door,” says Beland.  

Beyond training, visible cultural supports are being integrated throughout hospital spaces, including the ED and Outpatient Mental Health units, to reinforce inclusion and awareness. Educational materials on traditional practices – particularly during childbirth and family care, are also being developed to enhance culturally respectful care.   

Photo caption: Indigenous artwork, recently installed in our Outpatient Mental Health units across our sites, reflects Niagara Health’s commitment to creating culturally safe and w​elcoming spaces for Indigenous patients and families.  

“Education is not a one-time initiative, it’s an ongoing commitment,” says Beland. “Every staff member who participates in this training is helping to build a system where Indigenous patients feel acknowledged, respected and safe. That’s the future we’re working toward – and it starts with our teams.”  ​​