The Emergency Departments are experiencing high volumes of patients who need care. Please be prepared to wait. The most serious cases are treated first.
Not all health concerns need emergency care. You can also book a virtual visit or go to an urgent care clinic for these concerns. For life-threatening symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.
Thank you for your patience.
Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN) walks with Indigenous Peoples to improve care.
Together, we are building a hospital network that includes Indigenous cultures and traditions.
Indigenous voices shape Indigenous health at WRHN. This work is also guided by:
We work together to make programs and spaces more welcoming and respectful.
Reconciliation is an important part of Indigenous health. Reconciliation means working together to fix harm from the past. It includes making changes to respect Indigenous rights, cultures, and ways of life. WRHN is taking active steps toward reconciliation. We partner to make care better for Indigenous Peoples.
The Indigenous Health and Reconciliation Team (IHRT), the Indigenous Employee Circle (IEC), and the Indigenous Advisory Council (IAC) support this work.
The Indigenous Health and Reconciliation Team (IHRT) helps First Nations, Inuit, Métis (FNIM), and urban Indigenous Peoples. They bring culture, ceremony, and connection to our care and spaces. Each team member also brings their own knowledge and teachings.
Learn more about the team, care, and how to connect.
IPNs can help in person or by phone. They can:
IPNs help anyone who is as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis (FNIM).
Contact us by email, phone, or text. Your family or care team can also refer you.
IPNs work Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They do their best to reply within 24 to 48 business hours. They are not available on holidays.
The Indigenous Employee Circle (IEC) is a safe, supportive space. Indigenous team members and allies connect, share, and lead from experience.
The IEC helps WRHN build connections with First Nations, Inuit, Métis (FNIM) and urban Indigenous Peoples. It supports patients, teams, and communities by:
The IEC also helps guide WRHN. Members share knowledge to shape programs and goals. The IHRT supports the IEC with education and guidance
The IEC and IHRT empower team members. They encourage them to include Indigenous values and practices in care. This helps create a health network that is respectful and considers everyone.
The Seven Grandfather Teachings guide their work: Humility, Bravery, Honesty, Wisdom, Truth, Respect, and Love.
The Indigenous Advisory Circle (IAC) includes:
Indigenous community members
The IAC gives advice about the hospitals’ strategies and plans. It also helps the hospitals:
WRHN continues to learn from and work with Indigenous communities. This timeline shares important steps we have taken. Together, we continue to make care safer and connected to culture.
WRHN’s legacy hospitals make Truth and Reconciliation a main goal.
The hospitals create a plan to guide reconciliation.
Indigenous patient navigators from the Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC) start helping patients.
The Redevelopment Team starts working with Indigenous communities. They ask for their ideas about the new hospital.
Indigenous team members, allies, and leaders form the Indigenous Employee Circle (IEC).
The IEC creates a land acknowledgement. It honours local Indigenous territories.
WRHN starts holding Sacred Fires and Drumming Circles every quarter. These ceremonies mark the seasons.
WRHN and Cambridge Memorial Hospital (CMH) develop the first regional Indigenous work plan with Indigenous partners.
Indigenous artwork by Luke Swinson is displayed at WRHN @ Midtown. It helps create a more welcoming environment.
The Indigenous Advisory Council (IAC) meets for the first time.
WRHN launches the first Indigenous e-learning course for teams.
The Indigenous Health & Reconciliation Team (IHRT) is created to continue this important work.
WRHN starts holding regular smudging ceremonies.
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A drum making workshop celebrating National Indigenous Nurses Day.
Ceremonies like Drumming Circles and Sacred Fires.
Artwork by Indigenous artist Luke Swinson at WRHN @ Midtown.
Recognizing the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-
Learning about Indigenous health during National Indigenous History Month.
WRHN works with Indigenous communities to improve care. Our work follows the First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Urban Indigenous Health Framework, made by Ontario Health
We walk with First Nations, Inuit, Métis (FNIM) and urban Indigenous Peoples to build strong connections by:
We work with Indigenous partners to make care and spaces safer. These are some ways we are doing this:
We help teams understand Indigenous culture, traditions, and health needs. This includes:
Indigenous artwork welcomes patients, families, and visitors at WRHN @ Midtown. The piece is by local artist Luke Swinson. It is part of our shared journey to honour Indigenous cultures and histories.
The piece is of the birds that live along the Grand River. It shows the river’s connections to life and creation.
“My partner and I walk along the Grand River daily and reflect on the importance of the water and its inhabitants,” shares Luke. “We have seen these birds during our walks … The river is sacred and home to so many living beings, and I think it is important for us to remember and celebrate that.”
This is the first of many Indigenous art pieces in our hospitals. Each piece will help make spaces safer and more welcoming.
“I and many of my loved ones have spent a lot of time at [WRHN],” Luke reflects. “It is so important for a place like this to be welcoming to Indigenous folks … I believe that art and culture are part of this important healing process that, historically, has been absent in hospitals.”
A free, 12-lesson online course. It explores the histories and points of view of Indigenous Peoples living in Canada.
Oct 27, 2025
We welcome your compliments and concerns. They help us learn what we are doing well and where we can improve. Your feedback makes care better.
