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

Indigenous Community Healing Space consultations continue

Grand Chief Cathy Merrick, IAC and Foundation staff

2022 initiatives

2021 initiatives

2020

2019

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:

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.

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