ReconciliACTION

The Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba began its journey of reconciliation, working towards ReconciliACTION, in 2019, when we reached out to Indigenous community members to listen and learn how we can best support them, their kids and their families in hospital. Since then, we have made significant progress, and also recognize there is more we can learn and do.

Working together in ReconciliACTION

Foundation and CHRIM staff visit Turtle Lodge along with IAC

2024 initiatives

In 2024 Children’s Hospital Foundation announced the first Champion Child from a Northern remote First Nations community. Janessa, from Pukatawagan, highlighted the challenges children in Manitoba’s remote and isolated communities face to get specialized pediatric care. As the 2024 Champion she represented 140,000 kids who rely on HSC Children’s every year – of which around 60 per cent are Indigenous.

Janessa’s advocacy has had a tangible, far-reaching impact on healthcare awareness and fundraising in Manitoba. Her presence has highlighted the healthcare disparities faced by Indigenous youth, many of whom must travel hundreds of kilometers to access life-saving care. Her role has also contributed to the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba’s reconciliation efforts by actively involving a young Indigenous leader in its highest-profile advocacy platform. The awareness she has raised and the bridges she has built between communities will continue to guide systemic improvement in healthcare access for Indigenous youth for years to come.

We continued supporting plans for the Indigenous Community Healing Space at HSC Children’s Hospital through community consultation and with guidance from First Nations, Métis, and Inuit leaders. With 60 per cent of children who need care at Children’s it’s vital that a space like this be made available to them and their families. Elders, Knowledge Keepers, other Indigenous community members and leaders in our medical community held meaningful meetings in 2024 to build a framework and inform design options for the development of the Indigenous Healing Space. With many children coming from northern and remote communities, it will provide Indigenous patients and their families with a safe space while they’re away from their home community, giving them crucial cultural supports they need for their healing journey to nurture their whole self – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual

The Foundation launched another important piece of reconciliation actions emphasizing community engagement and culturally sensitive care. Children’s Hospital Foundation added brand graphic elements created by an Indigenous designer with input from First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples to represent their cultures. These graphic elements include things like beading style florals (buttercup, wild rose, fireweed blossom, arctic cotton), traditional medicines (sage, tobacco, cedar and sweetgrass) and winding vines with mouse tracks and seeds. Leticia Spence’s designs were further guided by the Foundation’s Indigenous Advisory Circle to develop meaningful elements that fit the light, fun and supportive tone for all kids who need care at Children’s Hospital.

Our Better Futures campaign surpassed its five-year goal of $75 million, reaching an extraordinary $87 million. These funds are all in use. Donor funds have helped fund critical infrastructure, life-saving medical equipment and technology, innovative programming to bring comfort to families in hospital, and leading-edge pediatric research at Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM) for all kids from Manitoba, Northwestern Ontario and Nunavut who receive care at Manitoba’s only Children’s Hospital

The 35th annual Teddy Bears’ Picnic by Children’s Hospital Foundation started the day with Indigenous drummers and special messages from Indigenous leaders in the province. Throughout the day, children and families were entertained by First Nations dancers, Inuit throat singers, and Metis fiddlers. There was also a Teepee with Indigenous Elders providing teachings.

2023 initiatives

• Grand Chief Cathy Merrick visits HSC Children’s Hospital for a tour to learn about areas of need, endorsing support for the nephrology unit that predominantly cares for Indigenous children.
• Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs unanimously endorse advocating for $2M in funding at federal level of government for creating a centre of excellence for nephrology at HSC Children’s and Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba (CHRIM). 
• Foundation engages with Southern Chiefs’ Organization to collaborate on ways to further support areas of need at HSC Children’s Hospital.
• Foundation CEO meets at HSC Children’s with Manitoba Métis Federation to learn more about Métis community and begin collaboration.
• Foundation team engages Indigenous designer to develop graphic components for use in communication materials that represent the Indigenous populations we serve.
• Children’s Hospital Foundation staff visit Turtle Lodge, alongside members of the Indigenous Advisory Circle (IAC), to learn about Indigenous worldviews and incorporating traditional practices into health care.
• Indigenous Community Healing Space project continues, with continued community consultations.
• Foundation recognizes Orange Shirt Day with an update to all donors on #ReconcilACTION.
• Foundation attends the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Jingle Mingle, celebrating holidays alongside Indigenous community.
• Indigenous Advisory Committee members provide valuable input and feedback on Foundation program and fundraising initiatives at regular committee meetings.
• Rebecca Chartrand, Chair and Heather Berthelette, Vice Chair sit on Foundation Board providing direction and feedback and with an Indigenous lens.

2022 initiatives

• Indigenous Advisory Circle Chair, along with the Spirit Horse Drum Group participate in the Foundation’s Better Futures launch event.
• Knowledge Keeper, Robert Maytwayashing, drummer, Jedediyah Swampy, and artist, Peatr Thomas, are part of the dedication of the new Travis Price Children’s Heart Centre.
• Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Acting Grand Chief, Cornell McLean, offers a meaningful gift for the new outdoor play space at HSC Winnipeg.

2021 initiatives

• Collaborating with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs to raise funds and distribute a Spirit Bear-Dr. Goodbear mask to help protect Indigenous kids and youth from COVID-19, while also shining a light on Jordan’s Principle.
• Launching the fundraising campaign for the Indigenous Community Healing Space at HSC Children’s, which will provide families with a culturally safe space to heal away from their home and supports.
• Developing a Foundation-specific land acknowledgement through facilitated workshops to help build meaningful connections as Treaty Peoples.
• Supporting research teams at CHRIM, and their engagement with and commitment to Indigenous communities, including through exploration of health equity and structural inequalities facing Indigenous kids and families.
• Sharing the Foundation’s experiences with Canada’s Children’s Hospital Foundations and member corporations on engagement and relationship-building to help encourage all Canadian pediatric facilities and leading companies to honour Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, particularly #22: “We call upon those who can effect change within the Canadian health-care system to recognize the value of Aboriginal healing practices and use them in the treatment of Aboriginal patients in collaboration with Aboriginal healers and Elders where requested by Aboriginal patients.”
• Foundation staff all take Indigenous Canada course offered through the University of Alberta.

2020

• Inviting, recruiting, and appointing members of Indigenous communities across all levels of the organization.
• IAC members leading staff and board training on the importance of reconciliation, including the KAIROS Blanket Exercise to build understanding of our shared history as Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. IAC members also facilitate ongoing learning sessions for staff and board on issues facing families in hospital, like Jordan’s Principle.

2019

• Creation of the Indigenous Advisory Circle to the Foundation, a group of leaders from First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities across Manitoba who provide counsel on Foundation activities, including informing key Foundation projects and programs through an Indigenous lens.

Indigenous Advisory Circle

In 2019, Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba created the Indigenous Advisory Circle. This group of leaders from First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities across Manitoba generously share their wisdom and counsel with the Foundation, as it supports culturally safe programming, resources and spaces in the hospital.

The Foundation’s Indigenous Advisory Circle has been involved in projects like the Spirit Bear Mask partnership with Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) and the creation of an Indigenous Community Healing Space at HSC Children’s Hospital.

Indigenous Advisory Circle members:

• Rebecca Chartrand, Chair 
• Heather Berthelette, Vice Chair
• Dr. Marcia Anderson
• Darrell Brown
• Lisa Squire Ducharme
• Shauna Fontaine
• Janet Kanayok
• Nastania Mullin
• Dr. Terry Klassen
• Olena Kloss
• Melanie MacKinnon
• Robert Maytwayashing, Knowledge Keeper
• Renata Meconse
• Dr. Lisa Monkman
• Alyssa Monkman 
• Dr. Melanie Morris
• Sara Rommelaere
• Dr. Shelley Turner
• Michael Holmes – Ex-Officio, Chair, Children’s Hospital Foundation Board
• Stefano Grande – Ex-Officio, Children’s Hospital Foundation

Land Acknowledgment

For thousands of years, tiny feet have walked, run, jumped and played on these lands.

Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba acknowledges that the land upon which we are privileged to gather, work, and care for each other is located on Treaty 1 territory, the ancestral homelands of the Anishinaabeg (Ojibway), Ininiwak (Cree), Anishiniwak (Oji-Cree), Dakota Oyate (Dakota) and Denesuline (Dene) peoples, and the birthplace and National homeland of the Red River Métis Nation. Inuit from ancestral northern territories also make their home here. We are proud to also serve children and families from Treaty 2, 3, 4, 5 and Robinson-Superior Treaty territories.

Every child deserves a life of health, dignity, kindness, and joy. We are sorry for the harms of the past and promise to do better and to do what is right. In the spirit and intent of the treaties, we promise to listen and learn, and to share what we have to serve children and families who need help, in harmony with and respect for each other and the land.

As a champion of children’s health and wellbeing, we will honour the tiny feet of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, as we walk together with First Nations, Métis and Inuit on a path of reconciliation and healing.