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The Ottawa Hospital is grounded in a connection to the land and its people and those we serve across the greater Ottawa and Eastern Ontario region, Western Quebec and the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut, and the physicians, staff and volunteers who care for them.

The Ottawa Hospital acknowledges it is located upon the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin people and respects the traditional knowledge and healing developed over generations. We have the privilege and responsibility to serve First Nations, Métis and Inuit of many backgrounds and from many treaty and non-treaty lands and territories and to demonstrate respect for the contributions and cultures of Indigenous Peoples.

The art series Algonquin Ancestral Medicinal Knowledge showcases Algonquin knowledge of medicinal plants and the practice of passing it down through generations. A series collaboration by artists Simon Brascoupé and Mairi Brascoupé from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, it features plant images inspired by ancient Algonquin birchbark cut outs used as templates for decorating birchbark baskets and has been shown in museum collections around the world.

A path to reconciliation

The goal with the art installations featured at all our campuses is to acknowledge whose territory on which we serve and to recognize the connection between the land and the medicines it provides. The land acknowledgment also stands as an important reminder of our work toward reconciliation and to ensuring safe and respectful spaces for First Nation, Inuit and Métis patients and their families.

Indigenous Peoples Advisory Circle

The Ottawa Hospital is committed to a journey of reconciliation and to ensure First Nation, Inuit and Métis patients and families access safe health care, free of discrimination. The Ottawa Hospital is fortunate to pursue this journey with the guidance of the Indigenous Peoples Advisory Circle established in 2021. Made up of First Nation, Inuit and Métis leaders, physicians, health experts and community members, the Circle is co-chaired by:

• Marion Crowe, the first Indigenous Ottawa Hospital board member and CEO of the First Nations Health Managers Association
• Dr. Elaine Kilabuk, general internal medicine specialist and the first Inuk from Nunavut to graduate from McGill University
• Dr. Jason McVicar, Métis anesthesiologist, assistant professor at the University of Ottawa and recipient of the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine Social Accountability Award (2022)

The Circle advises The Ottawa Hospital on building a common future for Indigenous health and healing. The work of the Circle is focused on meaningful involvement and engagement by Indigenous Peoples. This includes prioritizing initiatives and actions toward reconciliation and providing guidance on design and planning elements of the new campus. 

Links

• Download Algonquin and Inuktitut translations of the land acknowledgement
• A land acknowledgement that honours the land and the medicines in provides
• Original artwork by Simon Brascoupé and Mairi Brascoupé presented at the land acknowledgement ceremony for the new campus development

Last updated on: October 26th, 2023