Sault Ste. Marie, ON, February 27, 2025 – In an historic event held at the Sault Area Hospital, Maamwesying North Shore Community Health Services Inc., as a core partner of the Maamwesying Ontario Health Team (MOHT) and Sault Area Hospital officially signed a Collaboration Agreement, formalizing their commitment to delivering culturally sensitive, patient-centred, and equitable healthcare for Indigenous peoples in the North East Region.

As Ontario’s only Indigenous-led, Indigenous-focused Ontario Health Team, the MOHT celebrates this milestone, which outlines a continuing process to promote further understanding, embracing Indigenous culture in healthcare delivery in Sault Ste. Marie and area.

Developing and maintaining Collaborative Partnerships is work that is core to the MOHT. As Collaborative Partners, the MOHT and Sault Area Hospital commit to advancing cultural safety training while exploring additional opportunities to enhance care coordination and initiatives. Other MOHT Collaborative Partners include Espanola Regional Hospital and Health Centre, St. Joseph’s General Hospital Elliot Lake, Health Sciences North, Algoma Public Health, Nogdawindamin Family and Community Services, Registered Nurses of Ontario (RNAO), North Shore Health Network, Lady Dunn Health Centre, Chapleau Health Services, and Public Health Sudbury & Districts.

During the Signing Ceremony, a Blanket Exercise was held to foster a deeper understanding of the history of Turtle Island, now known as Canada, and the enduring impacts of colonization on Indigenous communities. This interactive learning experience provided an opportunity for reflection, dialogue, and a shared commitment to advancing reconciliation and improving Indigenous healthcare.

Representatives from both the MOHT and Sault Area Hospital were present to share their remarks:

“Building the inclusive future that we envision will take time, intention, and trust to develop. It will mean creating spaces where Indigenous People feel valued, where their traditions and perspectives are honored, and systemic barriers are addressed. This agreement represents a step toward that vision—a foundation for progress and partnership that will continue to evolve,” said Carol Eshkakogan, CEO, Maamwesying North Shore Community Health Services Inc.

“This agreement is another step in Sault Area Hospital’s commitment to making improvements in how we support Indigenous health within our hospital and the broader health system. It expresses our continued commitment to ensuring that we hold ourselves accountable for this work and we ask our partners at Maamwesying to hold us accountable as well,” said Ila Watson, President & CEO, Sault Area Hospital.

Maamwesying Ontario Health Team (MOHT)

The Maamwesying Ontario Health Team (MOHT) was announced in October of 2022 to seamlessly integrate health care services for clients in the communities of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, Sagamok Anishnawbek, Serpent River First Nation, Mississauga First Nation, Thessalon First Nation, Garden River First Nation, Batchewana First Nation, Michipicoten First Nation, Chapleau Cree First Nation, Chapleau Ojibwe First Nation, and Brunswick House First Nation, as well as the urban Indigenous population in Sault Ste. Marie.

Maamwesying means “the act of working as one” in Ojibway. The vision of our agency is “Maamwesying kina gweyahn N’minobimaadizing” which means “Working as One for the Wellbeing of All”.

The mission is to collaborate with our community partners to provide accessible, quality, culturally safe and holistic health care to support and enhance the wellness of individuals, families and communities.

Sault Area Hospital

The Sault Area Hospital’s Strategic Plan commits to providing inclusive and culturally safe care to all, beginning with a focus on Indigenous health and continuing to improve overall access, equity and respect for diversity.

Incorporating traditional health practices and offering support and services tailored specifically to the needs of Indigenous Peoples helps to create a more inclusive and culturally safe patient care setting.

These support services include voluntary Indigenous Self Identification, access to Indigenous Patient Navigators, a Spirit Room for traditional ceremonies, and initiatives for Truth & Reconciliation, such as Grandfather Gardens and Orange Shirt Day.

Maamwesying Ontario Health Team is supported by funding from the Government of Ontario.