St. Paul's Hospital answering Truth and Reconciliation calls to action

Making health care better for Indigenous people. 

That’s what St Paul’s Hospital wants to do in its commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation call to action.
 
Neal Kewistep is a residential school survivor and Saskatoon Health Region employee and was proud of his organization on Friday.
 
“When we walk into the hospital we’re given a daily reminder that we’re on a shared journey of reconciliation,” he said. “That’s not only with the staff, it’s with the patients, the family, and all of the society.”

Kewistep shared this historic moment with his father, Elder Gilbert Kewistep. He said he never thought this day would come.

“We don’t want to be looked down upon anymore,” he said. “We want people to look at us in the eye and treat us with respect.”

The health region has said it is committed to hiring more indigenous people.

“We need to understand the special needs for the first nations and Metis people because of their experience with residential schools,” said Dan Florizone, with the Saskatoon Health Region.

“It’s all about rebuilding our relationship and gaining back that trust,” he said.

The @SaskatoonHealth committing to Reconciliation calls to action at St Paul’s Hospital #yxe @CKOMNews pic.twitter.com/G1w3cczZ0A

— JT Marshall (@jtmarshallCKOM) October 14, 2016

The call to action included the signing of a contract as well as the raising of the truth and reconciliation flag.

The Reconciliation flag has been raised at St Paul’s Hospital @dkckom @CKOMNews #yxe pic.twitter.com/b7SGOvyCsW

— JT Marshall (@jtmarshallCKOM) October 14, 2016

“There is a lot of work to be done throughout Canada, but I think this is a really great start,” Kewistep said.