Indigenous Health and Wellness Strategic Advancement in KFLA

Key Updates and Next Steps

February 27, 2025.

We are pleased to share an update on the Indigenous Health and Wellness Strategic Advancement in KFL&A initiative, a collaborative effort between the FLA OHT, Kingston Community Health Centres, and Three Things Consulting (the last update on this initiative was in August 2024 can be accessed here). This initiative, which continues through to the Spring of 2025, focuses on advancing health equity in three key areas: 

• Culturally Respectful and Relevant Policies, Processes, and Procedures: Working to develop or enhance policies that improve the quality of care for Indigenous Peoples and create a more inclusive experience for Indigenous staff and volunteers at FLA OHT partner organizations.
• Listening, Learning, and Cultural Capacity Building: Wellness and Awareness Circles for FLA OHT partner organizations to deepen understanding and build cultural competency among health-care providers. 
• Indigenous Spaces and Places in Health Care: Fostering relationships with Indigenous artists, knowledge keepers, and Elders to create meaningful artworks that celebrate and honour Indigenous approaches to health and well-being.

At the February Community Council meeting, Pytor Hodgson from Three Things Consulting provided an update on the progress and impact of this critical work. Pytor opened by emphasizing the stark disparities in health outcomes for Indigenous Peoples, noting that life expectancy for Indigenous Peoples across Canada is an average of 12 years less that non-Indigenous Canadians, and it is nearly two decades less in Alberta. “The barriers that exist for Indigenous Peoples are not complicated to understand—they are anchored in the inequity that exists in the health system,” Pytor explained. “For shifts to occur, systems have to change.” This project is working toward facilitating those systemic shifts within hospitals, clinics, and other health-care settings in our region.

Culturally Respectful and Relevant Policies, Processes, and Procedures

A key component of this initiative is policy review and development. Three Things Consulting is in the process of reviewing existing policies at different FLA OHT partners and health-care spaces in our communities, and is also creating a set of adaptable policies to support partners in implementing meaningful changes. “Policies help ensure that health spaces are not only more welcoming but also more effective in delivering equitable care for Indigenous Peoples,” Pytor noted.

Listening, Learning, and Cultural Capacity Building

Another area of focus has been increasing awareness and education among health-care providers. In September 2024, Three Things Consulting facilitated a series of knowledge-sharing sessions related to National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, reaching nearly 300 participants from 19 different FLA OHT partner organizations. “Step one is opening our minds and our knowledge,” Pytor said. “We don’t know what we don’t know. The more that people know and the more that people understand, the more they'll be motivated to ensure that things are moving forward in a good way.” Next, Three Things Consulting will be delivering full-day training sessions for health-care leadership at different hospitals in the region to deepen their understanding and commitment to Indigenous health equity.

Indigenous Spaces and Places in Health Care

Recognizing the importance of representation in health-care environments, the initiative has also focused on incorporating Indigenous artwork and imagery within health-care spaces across the region. “It can be really difficult and challenging when you walk into a health-care space and you don’t see yourself reflected anywhere,” shared Pytor. “So it is important that we create these spaces where people are seen—so that when our relations walk through those doors, they may see a little bit about themselves. So that when Indigenous Peoples who work in these spaces see it, they see themselves. When non-Indigenous folks see it, they're reminded of our presence—that we're still here.” A group of Indigenous artists from Tyendinaga, Napanee, and Kingston were engaged to create artwork that will be installed in several health-care locations across FLA. Each piece will include a teaching or narrative to help move forward health equity in some way. 

The following FLA OHT partners will host these commissioned pieces:

• Kingston Community Health Centres
• Kingston Health Sciences Centre
• Cancer Care Ontario
• Addiction and Mental Health Services KFL&A
• Lennox and Addington County General Hospital
• Queen’s Family Health Team

An unveiling event for these pieces will take place later this year, inviting community members to celebrate this milestone in Indigenous health equity.

Moving Forward

“This project is about inching things forward. It's not the solution, but it's about inching it forward,” Pytor reflected. “We must keep asking ourselves: what are we doing, and how can we close this gap?” The urgency is clear as life expectancy gaps widen – instead of narrow. By fostering systemic change, building awareness, and creating spaces that reflect Indigenous identities, the FLA OHT and its partners are working towards a future where equitable health care is a reality.

Stay tuned for further updates on this important initiative