Partnering with Indigenous Communities on Health and Wellbeing
The Guelph Wellington Ontario Health Team (GW OHT) deeply values hearing from Indigenous community members. We are committed to working together to build a health system that recognizes and incorporates Indigenous health practices for Indigenous Peoples.
GW OHT works in collaborative partnership with health and community partners to make care more connected and accessible in Guelph Wellington. Like other Ontario Health Teams, our role is to support service providers to enhance care for local populations by providing resources and facilitating integration.
We bring many types of care together under one circle—family doctors, hospitals, public health, long-term care, home and community care, and community support services—so people can get the right care, at the right time, in the right place. Our goal is to make the health system easier to navigate and ensure care feels coordinated and respectful. Our directives and funding come from the Ministry of Health.
Our Commitments
- Acknowledge and respect Indigenous concepts of health and wellbeing.
- Engage with local Indigenous Peoples and treaty partners on Indigenous-specific health and wellbeing as it relates to the work of the OHT.
- Approach engagement with respect for Indigenous ways of knowing and being.
- Incorporate community suggestions into Indigenous-specific health and wellbeing approaches and actions within OHT initiatives.
Guiding Indigenous Frameworks
- Two-Eyed Seeing – Video by Cheryl Bartlett or “Two eyed seeing”—embracing both Indigenous and western perspectives in healthcare | the BMJ
- Ethical Space – What is Ethical Space?Ethical spaces and places: Indigenous cultural safety in British Columbia health care – Margo Greenwood, Nicole Lindsay, Jessie King, David Loewen, 2017 or Understanding barriers to health care access through cultural safety and ethical space: Indigenous people’s experiences in Prince George, Canada – ScienceDirect
- Two-Row Wampum – Two Row Wampum – Gaswéñdah – Onondaga Nation
- Indigenous Medicine Wheel – Ojibwe Teaching – Fourdirectionsteachings.com
- Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) – Inuit IQ EN web.pdf
- Metis 5 Guiding Principles of Health (Miyo Pimatisiwin (The Good Life); Love, Shakihiwayhk; Relatedness/Reciprocity/Kinship, Wahkohtowin; Truth/transparency, Tâpwêwin; Resilience, Sîpihkisôwin | Strength) – Health | Métis National Council
GW OHT Activities
- Statement on Truth and Reconciliation
- Territorial Acknowledgement Guidance
- Caring for Indigenous Older Adults in Waterloo Wellington E-module
- Providing Safe Diabetes Care with Indigenous Older Adults
- Understanding Anti-Indigenous Racism in Healthcare Series
- Indigenous Identity Confirmation Process for Agency Partners Engaging Advisors
How We Work Together
Indigenous community members partner with us to inform health care system education, approaches, and to build connections with our service partners.
We invite you to share your voice and talk with us about Indigenous-specific OHT approaches and actions.
Indigenous Support Resources
Healthcare Transformation
Community Engagement
Honouring Relationships
Policies & Procedures
Indigenous Agencies and Providers
- Indigenous-Led Foot Care Clinic in Guelph Wellington
- Call Toe-Tally Foot care at: 519-505-2381 to book an appointment
- Waterloo Wellington Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre
- Guelph Indigenous Community Council
- Crow Shield Lodge
- Phone Number: 226-220-9242
- Email: crowshieldlodge@gmail.com
- The Healing of the Seven Generations
- Anishnabeg Outreach – Centre for Indigenous Healing
- White Owl Native Ancestry
- Phone Number: 519-772-4399 ext.2798
- Email: info@wonaa.ca
- Land Based Programs: mike@wonaa.ca
- K-W Urban Native Wigwam Project
- Email: kwhousingassist@gmail.com
- Lease Application
- After Hours Emergency Number: 519-743-5868 ext. 334 (note this is a Kitchener and Cambridge service)
- Tungasuvvingat Inuit
- Corporate HQ Phone: 613-565-5885
- Email: info@tiontario.ca
- Métis Nation of Ontario
- Call One MNO for most programs and resources: 1-800-263-4889 Ext. 7
- Email: contactus@metisnation.org
- Jordan’s Principle
- Wisahkotewinowak
- food bundles can be accessed by signing up through Facebook
Service Direct Resources
- Indigenous Programming at Delhi Transitional Housing | Thresholds Homes and Supports
- Dementia Care: Dementia Information for Indigenous Peoples: First Nations, Métis and Inuit | Alzheimer Society of Canada
- Jordan’s Principle: First Nations Child and Family Services, and Jordan’s Principle Settlement Agreement Support Services; 1-855-JP-CHILD (1-855-572-4453 ) teletypewriter: 1-866-553-0554
- Cancer Care Ontario: Recommended Resources for First Nations, Inuit, Métis & Urban Indigenous Peoples | Cancer Care Ontario
- Inuit regional government pages: Health and Social Development Archives – Nunatsiavut Government, Out of Region Services | Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services, Health | Government of Nunavut, Health and Wellness | Inuvialuit Regional Corporation
- Métis Nation Ontario – Call One MNO for most programs and resources: 1-800-263-4889 Ext. 7, contactus@metisnation.org , Mental Wellness Program MHA@metisnation.org, advocacy Justice@metisnation.org, anti-human trafficking NafshiyaH@metisnation.org, MNO Aboriginal Diabetes Education Project Type 1: Nicole Foster- NicoleF@metisnation.org – 613-334-1382, Type 2: Kelly Hendry – KellyH@metisnation.org – 807-375-0070, Virtual health care program Health Benefit Support Fund, Community Support Services Rose-Anne Boyle at (807) 276-6993 or email: Rose-AnneB@metisnation.org; Family Wellbeing Program Manager of Healing and Wellness Sam Cressman at samc@metisnation.org;
- Guelph Queer Health Hub: a group of queer and allied service providers dedicated to creating an affirming health space for queer, trans and allied folks in Guelph’s downtown core.
- O:se Kenhionhata:tie: a group of Two-Spirit, IndigiQueer, Queer/Trans Indigenous people and LGBTQ+ settler accomplices gathering in the Great Peace to celebrate, learn and thrive in our cultures.
- Spectrum: an organization that serves, affirms, and supports the well-being of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in Waterloo Region and the broader community through peer support, community partnerships, education and training, resources, and events.
- NIHB covered equipment and medical supplies Non-Insured Health Benefits Program for First Nations and Inuit: Medical Supplies and Equipment Guide and Benefit Lists
- Link to NIHB Express Scripts for NIHB for coverage
- Transportation to medical appointments (family doctors, specialist appointments) may be covered through ODSP or NIHB
- How to videos for Medical Supplies and Equipment Providers “How to process NIHB covered items?”
- Chiefs of Ontario NIHB Navigators
- A Guide for First Nations to Access Non‑Insured Health Benefits
- Land-based healing lodges: Enaahtig | Programs & Services; Referral Process – Sagashtawao Healing Lodge; Intake and Dates – Nimkee NupiGawagan Healing Centre; Programs & Services – White Buffalo Road Healing Lodge
- St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Guelph Indigenous Space Booking: https://www.sjhcg.ca/clients-and-visitors/indigenous-reconciliation-and-relationships/
- Indigenous Diabetes Health Circle
- Providing Safe Diabetes Care With Indigenous Older Adults – Inforgraphics
- Non-insured health benefits for First Nations and Inuit | Government of Canada
- Fact Sheet Non-Insured Health Benefits | Native Women’s Association of Canada
- Tungasuvvingat Inuit Specific Programs in Toronto and those visiting Toronto