The summer solstice has deep spiritual and cultural significance for Indigenous communities around the world. Last week, we joined CHEO and uOttawa for a special celebration to mark this important time of year, and to recognize the rich cultures of First Nation, Inuit and Métis Peoples.

At The Ottawa Hospital, we are committed to providing culturally safe care for First Nation, Inuit and Métis patients and families. We are working with Indigenous partners to identify ways we can make your time in hospital more welcoming. Here are some of the ways we’re doing that now.

Pamela Meness, owner of Diamond Phoenix Creations, the Kitigan Zibi-based supplier of The Ottawa Hospital’s Every Child Matters orange t-shirts, says her business is about healing and community.

Inuit patients can now see and hold a piece of their traditional territory in the Windòcàge Room at the General Campus, thanks to an interactive gift donated to The Ottawa Hospital by a cancer patient.

When it comes to cancer treatment, there’s no place like home. This spring, a team from The Ottawa Hospital helped organize Nunavut’s first-ever oncology conference to figure out how to bring oncology care closer to home for patients.

Visitors to The Ottawa Hospital are now greeted by a prominent land acknowledgement, which has been installed by the main entrances at each of our three main campuses. It is paired with artwork by Simon Brascoupé and his daughter, Mairi Brascoupé, both from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg.