Today, on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we reflect on the traumatic history of residential schools and the loss of those children who never returned home. We also take time to honour the survivors and seek to understand how we can address the legacy of systemic racism that shapes our society today, not just in health care but across systems.  

As health care providers, we see firsthand how this painful legacy still impacts our patients. Disparities exist across nearly every major measure of health, including outcomes of mental health, maternal and paediatric health, preventable cancers and even average lifespan.  

According to Statistics Canada, non-Indigenous people live an average of 84.9 years, compared to 73.9 years for First Nations people with Registered or Treaty status, 80.5 years for Métis and 71.9 years for Inuit. These disparities, based on 2016-2021 census data, stem from generations of colonial policies that created systemic barriers that persist in the system we work in today. We know that the data collection and methods may not be capturing accurate population data, and that disparities in life expectancy may be even greater than reported.  

Acknowledging this isn’t enough. As a major downtown hospital network, Unity Health Toronto cares for more Indigenous peoples than any other health care organization in the GTA. That carries a responsibility to take concrete action to address disparities, barriers and inequities.  

We must do better, and we are committed to it. 

Earlier this month, Unity Health launched our new Strategic Plan: Exceptional Care, Without Exception. One of four pillars in the plan is Leading Health Equity and Indigenous Health. In advancing this work, we are building on several years of groundwork led by the Office of Indigenous Wellness, Reconciliation and Partnerships, and working in partnership with guidance from the First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and the communities we serve.  

Below is an update on where this work stands, and where it goes next. 

What we accomplished in fiscal year 2025-26 

  • Officially opened the Indigenous Wellness Centre at St. Michael’s Hospital, a 650-square-foot space where the Indigenous Wellness Team provides services and supports to Indigenous patients and hosts education, training and ceremonial events for patients and those who work and learn at Unity Health.  
  • Launched a new research stream dedicated to supporting a vibrant, connected community of Indigenous researchers, co-led by Dr. Mikaela D. Gabriel (Mi’kmaq) and Dr. Janet Smylie (Métis), who both hold Canada Research Chairs. 
  • Built operational capacity through new hires and embedded Indigenous Wellness Specialists at all three hospital sites and within the St. Michael’s Academic Family Health Team, expanding opportunities for Indigenous patients to access culturally appropriate care. 
  • Supported Indigenous patients across all areas of the hospital through assessment of unmet needs and developing wholistic wellness care plans, connection to culture and ceremony, information and referral, discharge planning and home readiness support to help patients return to safe, healthy environments. 
  • Hosted the Toronto Central Regional Indigenous Cancer Program’s fourth annual Bundle Feast Ceremony at Providence Healthcare in November, bringing together nine hospital networks and organizations from across the GTA to feast the Indigenous Cancer Program bundles held at each site and receive teachings on the importance of song and ceremony in the healing journey. 
  • Completed planning and design for the Indigenous Wellness Centre at Providence, including an indoor wellness centre and an outdoor ceremonial space consisting of a teaching arbour and sacred fire. 
  • Worked with Human Resources to support applications and onboarding of Indigenous employees to reduce barriers for Indigenous community members and worked with community partners to open to doors for placements for students interested in pursuing health care careers at Unity Health. 
  • Offered cultural programs and learning opportunities for staff, credentialed providers, volunteers and learners, including seasonal ceremonies and feasts; monthly Smudge N’ Talk sessions, a welcoming space to learn about smudging ceremonies and the practices that support them in hospital; educational workshops on nutrition for diabetic and dialysis patients; and the second annual Dance for Healing featuring the Jingle Dress Dance. 
  • Co-led the sociodemographic data governance working group with the Office of Anti-Racism, Equity and Social Accountability and developed a draft framework grounded in Indigenous data governance principles. 
  • Last year, we committed to building an Indigenous Health Plan shaped by the 75 recommendations from our engagement sessions with Indigenous patients, families and community members. This work on the development of the health plan and implementation of the Indigenous Voices recommendations was paused while we finalized the organizational Strategic Plan. 

What we plan on doing in fiscal year 2026-27 

  • Our new hospital Strategic Plan centres Indigenous Health and includes the finalization and publication of the Indigenous Health Plan by fiscal year end. It also includes the building of two new care pathways for Indigenous patients in the Emergency Department and for those living with chronic kidney disease. 
  • We will continue to work with the Office of Anti-Racism, Equity and Social Accountability to develop an approach for collecting and using sociodemographic data for Indigenous patients that reflects Indigenous data governance principles and supports Indigenous self-determination over how the information is gathered and used. 
  • We will continue to build the Indigenous Wellness Centre at Providence, as well as a healing garden. We will also continue to advance future plans for an Indigenous Wellness Space at St. Joseph’s Health Centre.  

We encourage everyone to seek out opportunities to understand Indigenous health and history more deeply, and to translate that understanding into action – in your work, in your interactions with patients and colleagues, and in your everyday choices. For members of the Unity Health community who are Indigenous, please know that we stand in solidarity with you. 

We know that as an organization, we have an ambitious plan to become a leader in the provision of safer, high-quality care for First Nations (status and non-status), Inuit and Métis patients, residents, family members and communities. We are grateful to the First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders, organizations and community members who continue to humbly work with us in building good relations. It is their knowledge and generosity that make progress possible, and we remain committed to this journey, walking alongside them.  

Sincerely, 

Roberta Pike 
Director, Indigenous Wellness, Reconciliation and Partnerships 
Unity Health Toronto 

Altaf Stationwala 
President and CEO 
Unity Health Toronto