Niagara hospital system aims to overcome fear and mistrust among Indigenous patients

Niagara Health, which operates three hospitals and two urgent care centres, established an Indigenous Health Services and Reconciliation team led by Charity Beland to address systemic barriers and anti-Indigenous bias. The initiative emerged following the 2021 death of Heather Winterstein and includes patient advocacy, access to traditional ceremonies and medicines, and improved communication protocols.

An Indigenous federation noted progress but emphasized much work remains to rebuild trust across the system.