Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN) is committed to partnering to improve Indigenous health, focusing on community-identified priorities. WRHN will strive to provide a culturally safe space for First Nations, Inuit, Metis and urban Indigenous people to receive care.
Integral to this is ensuring WRHN respects and enables Indigenous healing practice in collaboration with Indigenous healers and Elders when requested by Indigenous patients. Through this work, we hope to build strong relationships based on reciprocity, respect, and open communication with Indigenous communities, leaders, and health providers.
Indigenous Healing Practices
Sacred Fires and Drumming Circles
To mark the change of season, The Indigenous Employee Circle, in collaboration with community Elders and Firekeepers will be holding Sacred Fires and Drumming Circles throughout the year. All are invited to attend, including team members, patients, and community members.
You don’t need to be familiar with these ceremonies to attend — this is a chance for us all of us to be together, experience, and learn. Stay tuned to upcoming ceremonies.
Cedar Tea History and Recipe
Cedar tea is made by boiling water and steeping the leaves from a Cedar tree. Cedar is one of the four sacred medicines along side Sage, Sweetgrass and Tobacco. It is valued for its ability to provide protection, grounding, and healing for the body and spirit. Cedar leaves are rich in vitamin C, which helps support the immune system.
When steeped, the leaves release essential oils that contain a natural compound called thujone, known for its antimicrobial properties. This makes cedar tea helpful in relieving symptoms during illness. Caution: Because thujone can be toxic in high doses, cedar tea should be consumed in moderation—no more than one 8 oz (1 cup) serving per day. It should not be consumed continuously, by pregnant people, or by individuals with kidney issues.
“Cedar bows downward, in humility and strength. It teaches us to remain humble, to protect others, and to always stand in truth. When we use cedar, we are reminded to walk gently with purpose and care.”
Interested in brewing your own Cedar tea? Check out the Recipe Card for instructions.
Smudging
WRHN supports Indigenous peoples to determine their own health needs and coordinate access to culturally appropriate healthcare programs and services. Patients, family members or community are able to smudge outdoors on Hospital grounds. Indoors, there is space for smudging at both the Midtown and Chicopee sites.
For support, you can talk to your care team or connect with the Spiritual Care team: 519-749-4300 ext. 2142. Smudging bundles are also available through this team.
Support for Indigenous Patients and Families at WRHN
Indigenous Careship Fund
A careship is like a donor-supported scholarship or bursary that provides financial support for patients receiving healthcare. The funds are provided directly to the patient and their family to help with the financial burden that can come with a health condition or new diagnosis and expenses related to their care.
Indigenous Careship funds are available to support Indigenous patients while receiving healthcare at WRHN. Support can include transportation costs, clothing, food and other resources. Please call 519-749-4300 ext. 2142 to access this support.
This program is open to anyone who self-identifies as Indigenous; there is no formal identification process in order to access this Careship. Those who want to support the Careship can donate to Waterloo Regional Health Network Foundation or purchase merchandise which supports the Careship.
Patient Relations
If you have compliments, comments, concerns or suggestions about your care experience at WRHN, patient relations is available to support you.
Feedback About Healthcare Experiences
We are listening and learning more about the healthcare experiences of Indigenous Peoples to improve patient care and experience, and we invite you to provide any feedback about how WRHN can support Indigenous patients, caregivers and families. You can contact the Indigenous Health team at IndigenousHealth@grhosp.on.ca with any feedback, questions, concerns, comments or suggestions.
Indigenous Team Members at Waterloo Regional Health Network
Team members at WRHN are invited to join our Indigenous Employee Circle! This group meets to support each other and to help Indigenous people flourish at WRHN. They also advise the Hospital on matters of Truth and Reconciliation, Health Equity, and how we can best support Indigenous patients. Team members can speak to their manager or contact IndigenousEmployeeCircle@grhosp.on.ca for more information.
Building Waterloo Region’s New Hospital
WRHN has a long-term plan for building Waterloo Region’s new hospital, renovating and expanding the Midtown and Chicopee sites as well as maintaining the Queen’s Blvd. site until the programs are transferred to the new hospital in approximately 2035. This plan will be delivered in three steps, with the first two phases of the new hospital @ The University being built first.
By building new and modernizing the exiting hospital sites, WRHN will be able to expand services and increase our capacity to care for a rapidly growing number of patients across the Region of Waterloo.
This 15-20 year plan requires significant community engagement and consultation to shape our plans for the future.
Engaging with the Indigenous community is an important part of this work at every stage of the overall plan. In addition to consulting Indigenous community in early project planning, members of Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation were technical advisors as part of the new hospital site selection process.
With the planning for the design of the new hospital now underway, including Environmental Enhancements of the site, Indigenous members are being consulted to identify how Indigenous cultural practices and ceremonies can be incorporated through the planning and development process.
Learn more about the hospital’s facilities plan by visiting the Redevelopment Project website.