“Right now, we honour the misplaced kids and survivors of residential faculties, their households and communities. Public acknowledgement of the tragic and painful historical past and ongoing impacts of residential faculties is a crucial element of the reconciliation course of,” mentioned Dr. Rhonda Crocker Ellacott, President and CEO, TBRHSC and CEO, Thunder Bay Regional Well being Analysis Institute. “We take our function in Reality and Reconciliation as a regional acute care supplier very significantly, and have undertaken a variety of initiatives to help therapeutic and reconciliation.”
A pair of highly effective symbols of the Hospital’s dedication have been unveiled as we speak. The primary, a newly raised, 20-foot tall tipi served because the backdrop because the Nationwide Day for Reality and Reconciliation started with singing and drumming by native girls. Elder Myria Esquega (member of Fort William First Nation) led the ceremonial opening of the tipi with prayer and smudging with the sacred medicines, tobacco, sage, cedar and sweetgrass. “Having a tipi onsite at Thunder Bay Regional Well being Sciences Centre is a culturally vital second for our group,” mentioned Crystal Pirie, Senior Director, Indigenous Collaboration. “It symbolizes our Hospital’s dedication to supporting and enhancing Indigenous peoples’ therapeutic journey whereas in our care.”
The Indigenous method to well being is to supply remedy for all points of oneself – the bodily, psychological, emotional and religious self to have the ability to totally heal. The tipi will function a protected cultural area that can permit for gatherings, ceremony, teachings and storytelling.
A big mural on the foot of the Grand Staircase was additionally unveiled as we speak. Ojibwe artist Ryan Pooman (member of Fort William First Nation) was commissioned to create the ten foot by ten foot mural that welcomes sufferers, households, guests and workers to the cafeteria. The brilliant, vibrant picture showcases conventional Indigenous meals from Northern Ontario.
Stephanie Rowan, Supervisor, Diet and Meals Companies/GM Sodexo Retail famous, “We’re extremely lucky to have Ryan’s paintings on the entrance of the cafeteria for everybody to get pleasure from. The one request we had was that the artwork tie in meals in some way, and apart from that, we left it as much as him. The top result’s wonderful, he’s an exceptionally gifted artist.”
“The occasions of as we speak are only one step in growing the Hospital as a extra culturally inclusive, protected area,” mentioned Dr. Crocker Ellacott. “We just lately launched our Strategic Plan 2026, had been we recognized Fairness, Variety and Inclusion as a key strategic precedence for our group. Offering care that honours our affected person’s id, background and experiences will enhance well being outcomes and high quality of care. We’re steadfast in our dedication to offering protected, high quality and respectful care to Indigenous sufferers and all the opposite numerous populations we serve.”
Particular thanks additionally goes out to the beneficiant donors in our neighborhood who designate their donations on to the Thunder Bay Regional Well being Sciences Basis’s Household CARE Grant program, which was instrumental in funding the development of the tipi.
