Toronto Indigenous Health Strategy

The Toronto Indigenous Health Strategy, A Reclamation of Well Being: Visioning a Thriving and Healthy Urban Indigenous Community – Toronto’s First Indigenous Health Strategy (2016 – 2021), laid the foundation for addressing health inequities and improving health outcomes faced by the diverse Indigenous communities in Toronto.

The strategic directions of the Toronto Indigenous Health Strategy are to:

  1. Reduce Health Inequities for Indigenous Peoples
  2. Influence the Social Determinants of Indigenous Health
  3. Harmonize Indigenous and Mainstream Health Programs and Services

In May 2016, the Toronto Indigenous Health Advisory Circle released Toronto’s first Indigenous Health Strategy with recommendations for Toronto Public Health and Ontario Health, Toronto Region (formerly known as the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network).

The Strategy envisions thriving and healthy Indigenous peoples and communities in Toronto and the transformation of programs and services in the health care system and within Toronto Public Health. The launch of the Toronto Indigenous Health Strategy influenced how Toronto Public Health works with Indigenous service providers and the Indigenous community across a range of public health programs.

The following operating principles were developed by the and continue to form the basis of the work of that Toronto Public Health does with Indigenous communities and service providers.

  1. Health plans are developed with Indigenous Peoples as full partners.
  2. Wherever Indigenous Peoples go to access programs and services, they receive culturally appropriate, safe and proficient care, and all barriers to optimal care have been removed.
  3. Care is planned to be responsive to community needs and is appropriate, efficient, effective and high quality at both systems and interpersonal levels.
  4. Dedicated resources and funding for Indigenous health programs and services will support a coordinated and collaborative system.
  5. Work will leverage and build the capacity of Indigenous leadership and Indigenous communities to care for themselves.

In 2023, Toronto Public Health launched an Indigenous Cultural Safety Action Plan across all programs, services and policy development activities, aimed at promoting knowledge and understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing.

Cultural safety is an outcome that aims to address power imbalances, promoting an environment free of racism and discrimination where people feel safe while receiving care. Cultural safety requires ongoing education, reflection and improvement, and Toronto Public Health is committed to this transformational journey.

Over 2023 and 2024, Toronto Public Health staff and leaders will participate in Indigenous-led education, training and development initiatives, including experiential learning and relationship building with Indigenous partners. The Indigenous Cultural Safety Action Plan has been developed by self-identified Indigenous staff at Toronto Public Health.

The City of Toronto’s Reconciliation Action Plan states that Indigenous health and wellness are integral to the overall well-being of Indigenous Peoples in Toronto.

Toronto Public Health has made the following commitments to continuing to advocate for, promote and implement the Toronto Indigenous Health Strategy and commitments under the Reconciliation Action Plan, as part of our ongoing commitment to strive for truth, justice and reconciliation for Indigenous Peoples:

  1. Continue to implement recommendations in the Toronto Indigenous Health Strategy and strengthen relationships with Indigenous partners.
  2. Develop and implement an Indigenous Cultural Safety Action Plan for Toronto Public Health and share with Indigenous partners through storytelling, tools, and health promotion supports.
  3. Develop an Indigenous-led healing pathway for harm reduction, substance use, recovery, and treatment.
  4. Work with City divisions and other levels of government to promote and advance the social determinants of health.

For Toronto Public Health, developing relationships and partnerships with Indigenous service providers is an essential part of advancing health outcomes for the urban Indigenous community in Toronto. This aligns with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action on Health and the City of Toronto’s commitment to truth and reconciliation, as outlined in the City of Toronto’s Reconciliation Action Plan.

In January 2024, the Board of Health requested the Medical Officer of Health report back to the Board of Health in 2024 on the establishment of an Indigenous Wellness Committee and co-developed action plan with a focus on substance use and mental health. Toronto Public Health is actively working with Indigenous service providers on this item.

Through building relationships with and listening to external Indigenous partners, Toronto Public Health is working to expand and strengthen its programs and services with and for Indigenous communities. For more information on the importance of ‘Indigenous health in Indigenous hands’ and other recommendations, visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.

Are you an Indigenous person living in Toronto? Toronto Public Health is committed to providing Indigenous residents and their families access to a range of public health and wellness services.

Harm Reduction:

  • Access Naloxone kits, safe consumption sites and distribute clean needles and kits to those who use drugs to prevent infection or the spread of disease.
  • Where: 277 Victoria St. (Yonge & Dundas), Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Vaccination Services:

  • Protect yourself and your family with COVID-19 vaccines, school immunizations and more.
  • Indigenous residents may also request information on how to connect with Indigenous-led service providers offering services for First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and their households.

Dental and Oral Health:

  • Eligible children, seniors and adults can access free services including exams, cleanings fillings, and more.

Sexual Health:

  • Get free, confidential information about sexual health like like birth control, STI testing HIV support and more.
  • Where: 2340 Dundas St. West and Scarborough Civic Centre (160 Borough Dr.)
  • eChat with Sexual Health Infoline Ontario (SHILO) live at sexualhealthontario.ca.

Support for Families:

  • Access free programs for pregnant individuals, new parents and young children, including home visits, breastfeeding/chestfeeding clinics and mental health support.

For more information, call Toronto Public Health at 416-338-7600, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Service is available in multiple languages. eChat live at toronto.ca/echat. For all other inquiries, contact the Indigenous Health Team at indigenoushealth@toronto.ca.