Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS) has opened a dedicated Indigenous Family Space at Brantford General Hospital to support culturally inclusive care for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis patients.
BCHS President and CEO Bonnie Camm said the initiative is part of the hospital’s broader commitment to reconciliation, inclusivity, and trust.
“We are consistently striving for a better BCHS, and much of that work calls us to reflect on the services we provide and the steps needed to truly champion inclusivity,” she said.
Michelle Bomberry, BCHS Manager of Indigenous Programming, said the space was created with direct input from the Indigenous community. “It is a culturally safe place to be ourselves, practice our healing, and a central point where Ogweho:weh families can gather.”
Located on the first floor near the Emergency Department entrance on Terrace Hill Street, the space is part of a $32 million Emergency Department (ED) Renovation Improvement Project.
The area includes a kitchen, lounge, and a central gathering space designed for traditional ceremonies and cultural practices.
The initiative builds on previous efforts, including the creation of an Indigenous Health Services Team and the hiring of Bomberry in 2024.
The BCHS Foundation has raised over $8 million to meet provincial funding requirements and purchase essential medical equipment for the renovation project.
Hospital officials say community support has been instrumental in making the project possible. More information is available on the Reimagine BCHS website https://reimaginebchs.ca/emergency-department/.
