The provincial government announced it will be investing $1.25 million towards the construction of Six Nations of the Grand River’s new five-bed hospice during a press conference at White Pines Wellness Centre on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.
The new hospice, which is currently named Six Nations of the Grand River Community Hospice, will be the first Indigenous-led, operated and on-territory facility in Canada.
“Our government is ensuring people and their families have access to the care they need in their community, close to their loved ones,” said Sylvia Jones, Ontario’s Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Our investment to expand access to end-of-life care that recognizes the importance of Indigenous-led traditional healing on Six Nations of the Grand River, is another step our government is taking to deliver compassionate and specialized care for patients and their loved ones.”
The future hospice will work via community-led services that will incorporate traditional Haudenosaunee teachings to provide physical, emotional and spiritual support to assist Indigenous community members in connecting to equitable and quality care that recognizes and respects their cultural identity, values and beliefs as they near their final days.
Debra Jonathan, Six Nations of the Grand River’s Director of Well-Being, said that the approximately 11,000-square-foot future facility will be nestled with a wooded area on Fourth Line and will feature a host of elements that focus on creating a welcoming and serene environment including:
- Decor that is reflective of cultural traditions, including colours and artwork
- Sacred spaces for ceremonies
- A garden space reflective of traditional medicines and the offerings of nature, providing opportunities to watch the stars, moon, and sun
- Large spaces to support multiple families to be together during end of life, share meals and comfort one another
- Culturally-relevant services such as traditional healers, elders and knowledge keepers
- Hospice care including end-of-life nursing and personal support
- Respite and symptom management
- Bereavement workshops and counselling tailored to meet the specific requirements of the community
In order to help make all of that happen, staff for the hospice will all be from First Nations communities and where it is not possible, the hospice will ensure non-First Nations staff receive cultural sensitivity training on end-of-life traditions and care for Indigenous clients and families.
During the announcement, Amos Key Jr., an elected Councillor for Six Nations of the Grand River, said that on top of the provincial government’s $1.25 million contribution, the elected council will be putting $5 million towards the facility.
As well, Jones said that the Ontario government will also be assisting with future operating costs for the hospice.
“Once opened, our government will of course provide annual operational funding for the new hospice to support the delivery of nursing, personal support and other end of life care services delivered to patients in these beds,” added Jones.
While there is currently no set date for the build’s completion, Jonathan said that the hospice project is well underway.
“The design is done and the site is actually starting to be prepared,” she said. “Our goal is by the end of 2026 or early 2027.”
Jonathan said that she was grateful to those who have worked so diligently to make the community’s need and its dream, a reality, and that in the future, the hospice will be given a new name that will properly reflect the work that will be done.
“Today is the culmination of years of planning, which began in April of 2011 with the community needs assessment that surveyed our community members about their understanding and experiences with palliative care,” said Jonathan. “…The Six Nations hospice will receive an Ongweoweh name at a later date, one that is most fitting to describe the compassionate work that will be done there. It will be a center of excellence that provides leadership, best practices, support and training in hospice palliative care. Our core values that will guide the decisions and actions of excellence in hospice care will be dignity, compassion, collaboration and accountability.”
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
