The Ontario government has committed up to $1.25 million to support the construction of Six Nations of the Grand River’s new five-bed hospice.

Once complete, the facility will help Indigenous people and their loved ones connect to comfortable, culturally appropriate and dignified end-of-life care, close to home.

The new hospice – which is currently named Six Nations of the Grand River Community Hospice – will be constructed on Six Nations of the Grand River and will be the first Indigenous-led, operated and on-territory hospice in Canada.

Its services will incorporate traditional Haudenosaunee teachings to provide physical, emotional and spiritual support that will help Indigenous community members connect to equitable quality care that recognizes and respects their cultural identity, values and beliefs as they make their journey into the spirit world.

“Having our own hospice will be amazing for our members to be taken care of our way,” said Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill of Six Nations of the Grand River. “Our members will be able to live out their lives with loved ones and family surrounding them.”

The hospice will provide families the ability to gather with generations of loved ones and bond over food to process grief, loss, and transition. It will also connect people to traditional medicines and practices, specific to each individual’s end-of-life journey. This can include supports to help with nausea, pain, discomfort, and support relaxation. The hospice staff will all be from First Nations communities – where this is not possible, the hospice will ensure non-First Nations staff receive cultural sensitivity training on end-of-life traditions and care for Indigenous clients and families.

Once these beds open, the Ontario government will invest in annual operational funding for Six Nations of the Grand Rivers’ new hospice to support the delivery of nursing, personal support, and other end-of-life care services delivered to patients in these beds.

With the addition of these five new hospice beds, a total of 72 adult and pediatric hospice beds will be available in the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant area.