Friday, September 30, 2022
HSN healthcare workers took part in traditional ceremonies today, led by Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and the hospital’s Indigenous Health Team, to honour survivors, the children who lost their lives, and the families and communities forever affected by the residential school system.
As part of the ceremonies, a sacred fire was ignited at the Ramsey Lake Health Centre, followed by a pipe and water ceremony. A prayer and memorial offering for the children was led by Rosella Kinoshameg, HSN Board member and a survivor of residential school.
The Survivors’ Flag, designed by survivors of the residential school system, was also added to the flagpoles at the Ramsey Lake Health Centre this week.
Deanna Jones-Keeshig, Director for Indigenous Health at HSN, said, “I recognize the progress HSN is making on having a deeper understanding of Indigenous cultures and developing stronger partnerships with communities in a collective effort to improve health outcomes for Indigenous Peoples.”
“Developing and implementing an action plan for Indigenous health framed by the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was one of the key goals of our most recent strategic plan,” said HSN CEO Dominic Giroux.
“We’re focused on providing a culturally safe environment for our patients, visitors and staff. We have cultural safety training underway for our Board, senior leadership and all healthcare workers and physicians and we continue to partner with NOSM University and the Health Sciences North Research Institute to promote cultural awareness and focus on Indigenous health in all specialties.
We can’t change the past but we are committed to reconciliation at HSN and creating a better future for Indigenous patients and their families.”