Indigenous Cancer Program

Overview

The Champlain Indigenous Cancer Program was established to help improve the cancer care experience of Indigenous people.  Our Program goals are based on Cancer Care Ontario’s Aboriginal Cancer Strategy III, the vision of which is to improve the performance of the cancer system with and for First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Ontario in a way which honours the Indigenous Path of Well-being.

Our Team

Our team includes a Regional Indigenous Clinical Lead, an Indigenous Nurse Navigator, and an Indigenous Program Coordinator.  These dedicated individuals work closely with our First Nations, Inuit and Métis patients and family members in the Champlain region to improve access to cancer care services in a respectful, culturally appropriate way.

Our Services

We support our Indigenous patients and their families by:

• Providing assistance navigating the health-care system
• Helping co-ordinate services
• Liaising with members of the health-care team to ensure continuity of care
• Assisting with access to language and translation services
• Providing support during clinic visits and other appointments
• Assisting with access to spiritual support.
• Preparing patients for their first appointment within the cancer program

We work with our health care team to provide support and education to ensure the delivery of culturally sensitive and safe care

We work with our regional partners to address system issues with the goal of improving the patient experience with cancer care and access to services

Country Food Menu

 The Ottawa Hospital is pleased to offer a Country Food Menu to Indigenous patients in the Cancer Program at the General Campus in the 5E/W and 6E/W inpatient units as part of our commitment to providing culturally safe care.

Country Food Menu Items

The Country Food Menu at TOH includes offerings, such as*:

• Arctic char
• Bannock
• Broth
• Caribou stew
• Raspberry jam

*Please note the menu is subject to change based on availability. TOH is committed to sourcing fresh, high-quality ingredients that are true to Country Food traditions.

How to Request Country Food

To receive Country Food during your stay at TOH, simply ask your care provider.

We Want Your Input

To ensure the Country Food Menu meets the needs of patients, we invite anyone who has tried the foods to fill out a survey.

Please note, the survey can also be completed with assistance from a member of your health team.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the survey or the Country Food Menu program, please feel free to contact:

Mackenzie Daybutch: mdaybutch@toh.ca; T: 613-737-7700, 73607 | C: 613-447-6790

Michelle Day: miday@toh.ca; T: 613-798-5555, 70141 | C: 343-598-7751

Resources and Information

For additional patient information and resources for First Nations, Inuit and Métis patients and family members, please visit one of our Patient and Family Support and Resource Centres.

The Windocage Community Room

Windocage is an Algonquin word, meaning “to lend a hand”.  At the Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, we believe that everyone could use a helping hand during their cancer care experience.  We are proud to have the Windocage Community Room available to our Indigenous patients and family members.

This room is a place of comfort and calm, designed to serve our First Nations, Inuit, and Métis patients and families.  The room’s neutral colours and natural-looking materials are meant to bring us back to nature and remind us of our home and community.   The room looks out on to our fireplace lounge.  There is also an outdoor meditation garden nearby where you can smudge.

We encourage you to make use of the Windocage room to relax, reflect, and re-energize while you are here for your appointment.

Contact us

To connect with or request services of a member of our Indigenous Cancer Program team, please contact Mackenzie Daybutch, Indigenous Program Coordinator at mdaybutch@toh.ca or 613-737-7700 ext. 73607.

For more information on the Indigenous Cancer Program, please contact Michelle Day (Manager, Person Centred Care) at miday@toh.ca or 613-798-5555, ext 70141.

Last updated on: July 21st, 2025