Special delivery for Indigenous patients
This year, to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21), the MUHC has organized a special country food distribution for Indigenous patients at the Montreal General Hospital and the Glen site.
Approximately 70 hospitalized patients will receive a special delivery of two pieces of fresh bannock, blueberries, jam and green tea.
“This celebratory day gives us an opportunity to visit with the patients,” says Nurse Caterina Staltari with the Patient Engagement Office. “We want our patients to feel welcome and cared for. This personalized visit gives us a chance to honour their resilience and creativity on this special day.” A similar gesture was appreciated by patients and regarded as an act of kindness. “I recall another delivery to an Indigenous patient. When she saw the traditional food, her face lit up and she spoke – for the first time in weeks. It was truly touching,” she says.
The food delivery will happen throughout the morning on Friday. In the afternoon, the teams from the Patient Engagement and Partnerships Offices encourage everyone to join in celebrations in the community.
“Our Indigenous patient partners reminded us that this day is comparable to the Fête nationale and Canada Day and suggested we attend their events. Some of us at the Patient Engagement Office will attend activities in the community where we can savour the traditional recipes, enjoy the music festivals, learn about traditional arts and crafts and simply share this time together,” says Caterina.
If you would like to join in the celebration and honour Indigenous culture and heritage, here are some of the events happening nearby.
- Native Montreal has organized activities at Parc Arthur-Therrien in Verdun from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Land inSights will host a series of activities outside the McCord Museum starting at 8:30 a.m.
- Native Women's shelter has organized a concert at Cabot Square from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.