$1.9M Boost for Indigenous Healthcare in Southwestern Ontario

The Ontario government is putting $1.9 million into Indigenous-led healthcare services across southwestern Ontario as part of its effort to connect more people with primary care providers.

The province shared the news Tuesday morning that these funds will go to the Southwest Ontario Aboriginal Health Access Centre (SOAHAC), which provides “culturally grounded, holistic healthcare” to Indigenous communities in the area.

“Anytime you get any type of funding to help with healing and wellness, especially in primary healthcare, you’re often very grateful,” said SOAHAC senior manager for traditional healing Doug George.

“It’s a really good start for what Indigenous people need in terms of equitable, adequate primary healthcare.”

Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Steve Pinsonneault made the announcement at SOAHAC’s London site and mentioned that the funding will help more than 2,000 new individuals seeking healthcare.

Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Steve Pinsonneault made the funding announcement at SOAHAC’s London site Tuesday morning. (Kendra Seguin/)

“It’s an extension to what we’re doing across the province,” Pinsonneault said, adding that Ontario plans to invest $3.4 billion into primary care so everyone has access by 2029.

“Over the next couple of months, you’re going to see a lot of announcements of funding going to different groups,” he said. “This group has six different centres so it’s pretty far-reaching. We just want to make sure we’re putting our funding in the right places, and we believe this is one of the right places.”

SOAHAC CEO Jan Martin stated that most of this money will be used for hiring additional staff and operating mobile sites aimed at offering more care in remote and rural areas.

“Not everybody can come in, and we want to meet people where they’re at to make sure they get the care that they should get,” Martin said.

Merging Healing Practices

SOAHAC provides services like dentistry, dietary support, physiotherapy, and mental health services, according to Martin. Everything follows an “integrated care model,” which fuses primary healthcare with traditional cultural healing.

George mentioned that’s vital for many folks in Indigenous communities who might not trust conventional healthcare providers and systems.

SOAHAC CEO Jan Martin says the additional provincial funding will go towards operating more mobile units in remote areas and hiring more healthcare staff. (Kendra Seguin/)

“This is one of the reasons why you still see many people with multiple chronic diseases and illnesses,” George said. “Those things are best – in my opinion and others’ opinion within Indigenous communities – dealt with by people who understand those traumas through lived experience.”

For instance, George noted that their London site often assists elders who prefer connecting with a traditional healer rather than a regular healthcare provider. Those healers can work together on a holistic treatment plan alongside doctors within their facility.

“So many of the traditional healers here know when this is a serious moment, especially when there’s potential for serious physical harm to come to the patient,” George explained. “So they are able to walk across the floor and consult with a doctor or nurse practitioner right away.”

“We want to be able to actually work together so that we can blend their strong belief systems and traditional healing practice with primary healthcare for overall safety.”

Doug George is the senior manager for traditional healing at SOAHAC, and says that the centre’s combination of primary care and traditional cultural practices makes for a more comfortable experience for people seeking healthcare. (Kendra Seguin/)

George added that their centre also focuses on providing other programs so visitors aren’t just coming for health-related needs.

“We are constantly working on helping people feel safe within the Indigenous Health Access Centre because we understand what they’ve gone through,” he stated.

Demanding More Indigenous Professionals

George expressed there’s still potential for SOAHAC along with other Indigenous health initiatives as time goes on-especially regarding bringing more Indigenous professionals into play.

“It would be preferable if we had our choice of Indigenous doctors coming out of university, but we’re still not there yet. It would be preferable if we had Indigenous nurses knocking down our door, but we’re still not there yet,” George mentioned.

He emphasized medical programs should create space for Indigenous peoples along with their traditional knowledge.

“They don’t have to put that on the side in order to be accepted within that system,” he noted.

Martin indicated SOAHAC aims also involves informing more Indigenous students about job opportunities available.

“I think we need recruitment efforts-getting out there at universities or job fairs-letting them know we’re here looking,” Martin remarked. “We have work ahead.”

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