Indigenous Self-Identification

1. Meet with Indigenous Organization Leaders
2. Meet with Indigenous Organization Programs/Service providers
3. Meet with community members
4. Refine the question/process
5. Create a safety plan:
   1. Train staff
   2. Build the Indigenous Identity question into the Hospital Information System (Launch pilot: 2026)
   3. Educate community

If your group or organization would like to meet, please contact: shyann.jenkins@niagarahealth.on.ca

Phase 1: Meeting with Indigenous Organization Leaders

• DAHAC – September 9, 2025
• NPAAMB – September 23, 2025
• IPHCC – September 23, 2025
• OHWest – November 11, 2025
• NCNW – February 5, 2026

Phase 2: Meeting with Indigenous programs and support service providers:

• NPAAMB – September 23, 2025
• IDHC programs – October 14, November 10, 2025
• NRNC: LLC – October 17, 2025
• DAHAC: Primary Care – November 12, 2025
• BCHS: Indigenous Health – December 10, 2025
• FENFC: Head Start – February 5, 2026

Phase 3: Engaging with Indigenous community members of the Niagara region:

• NPAAMB youth engagement at Community Connections Event – November 5, 2026
• NPAAMB After Hours Youth Drop-in – November 26, 2026
• NRNC community drum night – December 1, 2025
• Silver Foxes Programming at NRNC – December 2, 2025
• Roots in Reconciliation Event – December 9, 2025
• Brock Powwow – January 16, 2026
• NPAAMB Arts to Employment (Fort Erie Site) – February 5, 2026
• FENFC: Head Start parents – February 5, 2026
• Midwinter New Year's Gathering – February 6, 2026
• Indigenous Education (IE) Community Services Fair (Niagara College) - February 18/19, 2026
• Redefining Beauty, Health and Wellness Symposium - February 26, 2026

More events to be shared (will be updated regularly)

January 29, 2026
5 to 6:30 p.m.
Niagara Falls Public Library - 4848 Victoria Ave Niagara Falls, ON L2E 2C3

February 2, 2026
5 to 6:30 p.m.
St. Catharines Public Library - Central Library Branch - 54 Church St, St. Catharines, ON L2R 7K2

February 5, 2026
5 to 6:30 p.m.
Welland Public Library - Main Branch- 50 The Boardwalk, Welland, ON L3B 6J1

May 14, 2026
5 to 8 p.m.
The Exchange – 5943 Sylvia Pl, Niagara Falls, ON, L2G 1S9

Asking about one’s Indigenous identity supports better connections to services, like Indigenous Relations Specialists, who can provide culturally sensitive support, advocacy, and health information to Indigenous individuals within Niagara Health. It also allows the Indigenous Health Services and Reconciliation Team to inform the development of culturally appropriate policies, programs, and services at Niagara Health. The Indigenous Health Services team understands the unique needs of Indigenous peoples and can offer culturally appropriate and wholistic care in addition to the patients care team. Proper identification allows better understanding of care needs, and referrals to Indigenous specific resources for prevention and after-care.  

We ask all patients to help identify supports and services that may be available to them. Your response is voluntary. 

We do not assume who is or is not Indigenous – we ask everyone so that all patients have the opportunity to identify their Indigenous ancestry.  Your response will be recorded.

No. Patients and clients are not required to provide proof of Indigenous identity; your response is trusted without additional verification.  

• A registration staff member will ask “Do you identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit?"
• Your response will be recorded.
• If you identify as Indigenous, you will be asked if you give consent to the Indigenous Health Services team being notified of your visit. This is to discuss available services.

Yes. Your answer is voluntary.  

Under the Canadian Human Rights Act, it is not a discriminatory practice to collect information if it is intended to be used to eliminate discrimination of certain groups of individuals.  
There are several Truth and Reconciliation calls to action which seek to close the gap in health and wellness outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples:  

• #19- calling upon the federal government, in consultation with Aboriginal peoples, to establish measurable goals to identify and close the gaps in health outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities, and to publish annual progress reports and assess long-term trends 
• #20- Calling upon the federal government to recognize, respect, and address the distinct health needs of the Métis, Inuit, and off-reserve Aboriginal peoples 
• #22- Recognizing the value of Indigenous healing practices and intergrading them into treatment when requested by Indigenous patients  

Learn about these calls to action

People who self-identify as Indigenous will be given an opportunity to be connected to Indigenous services, such as Indigenous Relations Specialists, who can provide cultural support, advocacy, and health information. The Indigenous Relations Specialists may be able to provide support for cultural connections, traditional medicines, Elders, emotional support, support your decisions with care planning, smudging, access to Gathering of Good Minds Community Room, access to the healing garden (please note that services vary by site). Indigenous Relations Specialists can also help patients to be connected to services offered by the local Indigenous community.   

We understand sharing Indigenous self-identification information is a sensitive and confidential process that needs to be guided by Indigenous patients and Indigenous health leaders to ensure it is being carried out in a culturally safe and supportive way.  

The Indigenous Health Services team connected with Indigenous organization leaders, hosted community engagement sessions, an advisory committee will be created. 

Contact an Indigenous Relations Specialist if you have any questions or need assistance by phoning 905-378-4647 x43211. This is a confidential voicemail service that is checked regularly. Please speak clearly when leaving your message and call back number.