By: Shannon Schaefer, Dana Daschuk, Mahad Arale and Nicole Colozza
Michael Garron hospital, formally known as Toronto East General, has implemented an Indigenous healing room, inspired by the seven grandfather teachings, medicine wheel and spirit animals.
The healing room is an all-inclusive space that encourages a holistic healing experience for children, adults and families.
Hand-painted animals, spirits and symbols cover each wall of the healing room, located in the pediatric unit, representing the traditional teachings of honouring the seven grandfather’s gifts: wisdom, love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility and truth.
Each painting and teaching symbolizes a different Indigenous story, trait, personality, and value in hopes to lift the patient’s spirits.
Elder Little Brown Bear, the Manager of Indigenous Culture at Michael Garron, and members of the hospital’s Aboriginal Healing Program spent their summer hand painting every wall.
A step towards reconciliation
The 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Report, a component of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, offers 94 “calls to action” that hope to unite Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians in the effort to repair the harm caused by Canada’s residential school system and move towards reconciliation.
The 22nd call to action was to recognize the value of Indigenous healing practices and make them easily accessible for Indigenous patients.
“I think it behooves the public sector organizations and certainly health care services to figure out how we can help in the healing journey many Aboriginal or First Nations people are on,” said Elder Little Brown Bear to CBC.
The hospital believes their healing room is one of its kind in Ontario.
“This is a small step but an important step on our journey of truth and reconciliation,” said Sarah Downey, president and CEO of Michael Garron Hospital, to CBC.
Creating inclusive environments that honour Indigenous values and traditions allows for equal access by removing the barrier between the community and the Canadian healthcare system.
CBC has reported that the Michael Garron is exploring the possibility of introducing a room where patients would be able to smudge with traditional medicines in their continued efforts to offer equity of treatment.
Writer: Shannon Schaefer
Video: Mahad Arale
Infographics: Dana Daschuk
Social Media: Nicole Colozza
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