Elder Myeengun Henry, a member of LHSC’s Visiting Elders Program, educates Team LHSC about smudging and traditional medicines at a recent session offered by LHSC’s Indigenous Health team.
July 31, 2025
London Health Sciences Centre’s (LHSC) Indigenous Health team is proud to introduce the Indigenous Healing and Cultural Practices Policy, created in collaboration with local Indigenous leaders, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and departments across the organization. The new policy ensures that First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Urban Indigenous (FNIMU) patients have access to traditional healing practices and ceremonies as part of their care journey and supports LHSC care teams in providing access to them.
“This policy outlines our approach to creating a safe space for traditional medicine and ceremony to take place within LHSC,” says Chantel Antone, Indigenous Health Lead at LHSC. “It represents another step in our efforts to build trust with FNIMU patients, families, and communities, and create a hospital environment where they feel seen, heard, and supported in every aspect of their healing.”
The Indigenous Healing and Cultural Practices Policy provides support for care teams across LHSC on how to honour and facilitate Indigenous healing practices and ceremonies, which are an essential part of wellness for many Indigenous patients. These practices contribute to wholistic healing that includes spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical aspects.
The Policy includes guidance for members of Team LHSC on how to access:
- Smudging and other traditional ceremonies;
- Traditional medicines in collaboration with Knowledge Keepers;
- LHSC’s Visiting Elders program;
- Indigenous Healing Spaces within the hospital; and
- Indigenous practitioners to collaborate with and integrate into care teams.
The development of the Indigenous Healing and Cultural Practices Policy was guided by relationships with local Indigenous partners and communities. Input from Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community leaders ensured the policy reflects the diverse needs and traditions of Indigenous patients and families while aligning with the cultural safety framework adopted across LHSC.
This important milestone reflects LHSC’s ongoing commitment to fostering culturally safe care environments for FNIMU patients and advancing Reconciliation within the health-care system.
“We are proud to be able to say that Indigenous patients can have access to wholistic care that is culturally relevant and spiritually grounded at LHSC,” adds Antone. “I would like to thank and honour the voices of those who contributed to the implementation of this policy. Together, we are making a significant difference for FNIMU Peoples in our journey toward healing – both individually and collectively.”
For more information on services available for FNIMU patients and families at LHSC, please visit the Indigenous Health webpage.