Indigenous Health Program

Unity Health Toronto has a range of culturally-appropriate programs, services and supports for Indigenous patients, and their family members or caregivers as they move through their care journey. These are facilitated by the Office of Indigenous Wellness, Reconciliation and Partnerships (OIWRP) and its Wellness team.

Unity Health provides care to thousands of Indigenous patients every year across our three hospital sites, and the programs, services and supports we offer align with our priority of improving the health of First Nations, Inuit and Metis people, families and communities.

Some of the services we offer include:

Access to ceremony, ceremonial bundles, and knowledge keepers
Support during/after appointments/procedures
Support with cultural and language interpretation
Navigation through the hospital system from the emergency department to discharge from in-patient units back to community
Advocacy for health system responsiveness to clinical and addressing unmet health and social needs
Access to Indigenous foods while in hospital
Information and referral
Opportunities for health education and accessing health literacy information
Discharge planning and family support
Aftercare for up to 6 weeks to ensure community supports/referrals are successful
Other unique supports and services as determined in conjunction with the Indigenous care team

At St. Michael’s Hospital, we are opening an Indigenous Wellness Centre. The 650-square-foot space includes a large ceremonial circle, special ventilation to permit for smudging, and a comfortable atmosphere to access regularly scheduled programming and/or drop in to have some tea. The space provides a safe area for our team to provide support to Indigenous clients and caregivers.

Additional spaces for Indigenous patients and caregivers are in development for St. Joseph’s Health Centre and Providence Healthcare.

To inquire about programs, services and supports please contact: indigadmin@unityhealth.to.

Last updated June 17, 2025