Last updated: September 27, 2024.
Shared on behalf of Michael Garron Hospital’s Board of Directors and Executive Team
In late 2021, MGH was made aware of concerns from community members regarding the Indigenous identity of the individual responsible for leading the hospital’s Indigenous services and programming. These concerns were taken seriously and acted upon immediately. This individual no longer works for MGH.
At that time, the hospital released a statement of acknowledgment to the community and has since gained a deeper understanding of the impact this has had on the community and the accountability our hospital must take to repair relations. We sincerely apologize for any harm this may have caused individuals in the Toronto Indigenous community.
We are committed to building an inclusive environment that respects and values Indigenous culture and tradition including traditional medicine, wisdom and ceremony and one that empowers Indigenous health care providers to deliver health programs tailored to the needs of the Indigenous (FNIMuI) community. To achieve this, MGH will implement more rigorous processes and policies to verify proof of Indigenous identity, build cultural awareness (safety) through education and continue to work with the Reconciliation Community Advisory Group to rebuild trust.
We are deeply grateful to the Reconciliation Community Advisory Group for their guidance, counsel and commitment to helping the hospital explore, understand and acknowledge difficult but important truths. We want to extend special thanks to Bob Goulais and Diane Longboat who were original members of the Advisory Group. Their role played an essential part in our ability to not only establish relationships but to move this important and necessary healing journey forward.
We ask the community for partnership to create an East Toronto health system that puts Indigenous health in Indigenous hands. We are determined to rebuild MGH’s Indigenous programs and services and through that work empower a culture of transformation, inclusivity and safety at MGH.