Indigenous Health
The Northern Regional Health Authority acknowledges that we are situated on Treaty 5, 6, and 10 Territory and that Manitoba is located on the traditional and ancestral lands of the Anishinaabeg, Anishininew, Denesuline, Nehethowuk, Ininiwak, Nêhiyawak Nations. We acknowledge that Manitoba is situated on the homeland of the Red River Métis. We respect waters, land, histories, language and cultures of First Nations, Métis and Inuit whose presence enriches Canadian society.
We respect and acknowledge that we are all connected through the Spirit and Intent of Treaties and Treaty Making and remain committed to working in collaboration and partnership that will encompass equity, justice, truth and reconciliation. The term “Indigenous” means First Nations, Métis, and Inuit inclusively. We acknowledge the unique status of Indigenous Peoples in Manitoba and Canada…
Why Indigenous Health matters
First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples make up 72.6% of the Northern Health Region’s population. Due to ongoing impacts of colonization, systemic racism and inequitable access to services, Indigenous peoples often experience poorer health outcomes.
Indigenous Health Services exist to help change this reality.
Our role is to support Indigenous peoples in accessing high-quality, culturally safe care while working within the health system to address racism, rebuild trust and create last night improvements in how care Is delivered. Indigenous voices, lived experience and leadership are central to this work.
This is about more than services, it is about relationships accountability and creating a health system where Indigenous peoples feel safe, respected and supported.
Our services are available to support patients and to work alongside healthcare teams to help create care environments where Indigenous patients and families feel welcomed, heard, and respected.
Indigenous Health Services within the Northern Health Region Include:
- Indigenous Liaison & Language Support Services
Guidance, advocacy, emotional support, and help navigating the healthcare system. - Elder & Knowledge Keeper Services
Cultural, spiritual, and healing support grounded in Indigenous traditions and teachings. - Culturally Safe Spaces / Chapels & Ceremonial Rooms
Quiet, welcoming spaces for rest, reflection, prayer, ceremony, and spiritual support.
Indigenous Health Services are available at the Flin Flon, The Pas, and Thompson hospitals. Services are accessed based on patient and family wishes and in collaboration with healthcare providers.
For an extensive list of facilities please refer to our Locations section on this website.
Our Team
Indigenous Health Services at the Northern Health Region works to improve health experiences and outcomes for First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples living in the North.
Our team champions meaningful, system-level change while also providing direct, culturally safe supports to Indigenous relatives and families as they navigate health care. We walk alongside people during some of their most vulnerable moments, helping ensure they feel respected, heard and supported. We provide traditional and culturally grounded Indigenous health services, including access to Elders and Indigenous Liaisons. These services are guided by Indigenous knowledge and relationships.
Beyond direct care, our team works across Northern Health Region programs, facilities and leadership tables to identify gaps, address barriers, and support improvements in access, equity and quality of care. This includes advancing Indigenous-specific anti-racism efforts, cultural safety, training & educations, and system accountability
Patient & Family Care
Indigenous Liaison / Language Support Services
Indigenous Liaison services are available at the Flin Flon, The Pas, and Thompson hospitals to support Indigenous patients and families during their health care journey. Indigenous Liaisons help promote a culturally safe and respectful care experience by addressing cultural and communication barriers in the health care system.
Indigenous Liaisons can provide emotional and cultural support during illness and hospitalization. They can also help patients and families understand the healthcare system, speak up about their needs, and connect with family members, Elders, and community supports.
Interpreter Services are also available when language barriers exist. These services help patients and families communicate clearly with their healthcare providers and are provided through the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.
To access Indigenous Liaison or Interpreter Services, please speak with your healthcare provider.
Elder / Knowledge Keeper Services
Elder/Knowledge Keeper support services are available at the Flin Flon, The Pas, and Thompson hospitals to support Indigenous patients and families during their care. Elders and Knowledge Keepers offer cultural, spiritual, and healing support grounded in Indigenous traditions, teachings, and ways of knowing.
Elders and Knowledge Keepers may provide prayer, ceremony, teachings, and spiritual guidance, based on patient wishes. They offer a calm, supportive presence and help patients and families feel connected to culture, identity, and community during illness and hospitalization.
To access Elder or Knowledge Keeper support, please speak with your healthcare provider.
Culturally Safe Spaces
Each of the Flin Flon, The Pas, and Thompson hospitals has a Culturally Safe Space, also known as a Chapel or Ceremonial Room. These are welcoming, respectful spaces for patients, families, and visitors of all cultures, spiritual beliefs, and faiths.
A culturally safe space is a place where people can feel comfortable expressing their cultural or spiritual practices while receiving care. These spaces are important because they support emotional, spiritual, and cultural well-being, which can be an important part of healing and comfort during illness or hospitalization.
The spaces may be used for rest, reflection, prayer, ceremony, or spiritual support at a patient’s request. Each location has its own protocols, guided primarily by patient and family needs and by the type of activity taking place. All listed spaces are designed to safely support smudging practices.
Access can be arranged by speaking with your healthcare provider, Indigenous Liaison, or Elder/Knowledge Keeper.
Flin Flon General Hospital
Ceremonial Room – 1st Floor, with access to Flin Flon Personal Care Home
The Pas Health Complex
Smudge Room – St. Paul’s Personal Care Home, with access to St. Anthony’s Hospital
Smudge Room – Rosaire House, with access to St. Anthony’s Hospital
Thompson General Hospital
Ceremonial Room/Chapel – 2nd Floor, Thompson General Hospital
Round Room – Northern Spirit Manor
Round Room – Community Care Clinic, Thompson General Hospital
All culturally safe spaces are open to patients, families, visitors and the public but availability, protocol and activities may vary by site. Please contact your health care provider or a member of the Indigenous Health Services Team to inquire further or with a specific request.
Learning & Commitments
NHR Cultural Proficiency & Indigenous Cultural Safety
This two-day Indigenous-led training supports personal growth and system change by strengthening self-awareness, cultural understanding, and accountability in health care. This training is mandatory for NHR staff.
Day 1 – Foundational Learning
The first day focuses on reflection, awareness, and understanding how culture, bias, and lived experience shape interactions and decisions in the workplace. Participants explore identity, equity, relationships, and the core principles of cultural proficiency, while examining barriers to culturally safe care. Learning is grounded in both individual responsibility and organizational values.
The day also includes an immersive, Indigenous-led exploration of Canadian history from an Indigenous perspective, connecting historical experiences to present-day realities. Participants are supported to reflect, listen, and share in a respectful and facilitated space.
Day 2 – Experiential, Land-Based Learning
The second day is a hands-on, land-based experience centered on Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and learning. Through ceremony, storytelling, traditional teachings, and connection to place, participants deepen their understanding of Indigenous cultures and histories beyond a classroom setting.
This day emphasizes presence, listening, and relationship-building, reinforcing that cultural safety is not a one-time activity but an ongoing journey.
Together, the two days create a powerful learning experience that supports culturally safe practice, strengthens relationships, and encourages participants to carry their learning forward into their roles and the broader health system.
We Will Take Good Care of the People
Health care workers have a new opportunity to deepen their skills in Indigenous Cultural Safety with the innovative program, Giga mino ganawenimaag Anishinaabeg (We Will Take Good Care of the People). Created by the University of Manitoba in partnership with Manitoba’s health systems, this training is designed right here in Manitoba to meet our unique needs.
Commitments
Indigenous Health Strategy
The Northern Health Region’s Indigenous Health Strategy was developed to address the significant health disparities between the Indigenous population of the Northern Health Region and the non-Indigenous population in the province of Manitoba and reflects the NHR’s commitment to closing this gap and improving health outcomes.
Declaration to Eliminate All Forms of Indigenous-Specific Racism
On Monday, September 26, 2022, representatives from Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO), Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin (KIM), and the Northern Regional Health Authority (NRHA) signed a Declaration to Eliminate All Forms of Indigenous-Specific Racism.
The signing of this declaration is a major step forward in working to end the racism Indigenous Peoples face when accessing or working within the healthcare system in Northern Manitoba.
Additional Resources
The Northern Health Region’s work is informed by a range of Indigenous-led resources, reports, and guiding frameworks that support learning, reflection, and action. These resources help shape how we understand Indigenous health, address racism, and work towards culturally safe care across the region.
Key resources and guidance include: