At the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, our goals are to provide a more welcoming environment for Indigenous patients and families, develop education and research that focuses on Indigenous health, and develop cultural sensitivity and understanding to better meet Indigenous patients' needs in everything we do. Elders, community volunteers, patients and staff all play an important role in providing direction in reaching our goals of providing culturally safe care.
This web page is designed to provide Indigenous patients, families, and communities with information about the Health Sciences Centre. Going to Thunder Bay for treatments or appointments can be scary, especially for those who do not speak English. This page offers a list of services, information about the Health Sciences Centre, and information about other organizations that can help you or your loved one travelling to Thunder Bay.
What to Expect
About Your Appointment
Your doctor or specialist at the Health Sciences Centre will give you the details of your appointment. If you have several appointments on different days, it may be possible to book all appointments on one day. Contact your doctor’s office to find out, or talk to the staff at your community Nursing Station or Health Centre who may be able to help.
Please bring all appointment forms, a valid Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card and status card with you to your appointment. If you do not provide a valid OHIP number and version code you will be responsible to pay for all Hospital services. If you need help finding where your appointment is at the Health Sciences Centre, you can give these forms to Admitting or the Information Desk and they will help you find the way.
Planning Your Trip
Talk to the staff at your community Nursing Station or Health Centre about your appointment.
They will be able to help you in many ways, including arranging travel and accommodations through Non-Insured Health Benefits Program, and arranging transportation to and from the airport in some cases.
Other Transportation from the Airport
If you do not have transportation from the airport, taxis and Thunder Bay Transit (the city bus) are also available outside of the terminal. More bus information including schedules and maps can be found on the City of Thunder Bay website.
Northern Ontario Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Navigator
The NIHB Navigators provide advocacy and liaison support on behalf of First Nation communities, community health workers and their clients, and organizations as it relates to the NIHB Program. The NIHB Navigators also assist in addressing and resolving NIHB issues on behalf of First Nation communities and organizations to make NIHB more accessible and less challenging for Ontario First Nations.
Emily King
Northern Ontario NIHB Navigator/Jordan’s Principle Liaison
Work Cell: (416) 573-7611
Thunder Bay Office Phone: (807) 626-9339
Email: Emily.king@coo.org
Jennifer Shisheesh
Northern NIHB Navigator
Work Cell: (647) 548-9581
Thunder Bay Office Phone: 1-807-626-9339
Email: Jennifer.shisheesh@coo.org
At Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
Most appointments will be at the main building of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Renal Services (for kidney disease and related appointments) has its own entrance, near the bus stop. The Main Entrance is not far from this entrance. The Information Desk is located just across and to the right of the Main Entrance. The Emergency Department also has its own entrance at the south of the building, and is well marked.
Finding Help
Contact an Indigenous Patient Navigator or Indigenous Care Coordinator for help.
For General Information
Visit the Information Desk across from the Main Entrance, or call the Switchboard at (807) 684-6000.
Interpretive (Translation) Services
Talk 4 Healing (1-855-554-HEAL)
Within the Health Sciences Centre
Susan Anderson (Renal – Indigenous Patient Navigator) – (807) 684-6166
Lorraine McKay (Renal – Indigenous Patient Navigator) – (807) 684-6695
Jeannie Simon (Cancer Care – Indigenous Patient Navigator) – (807) 684-4324
Mona Neekan (Emergency Department – Indigenous Patient Navigator) – (807) 620-5288
Angela Kakekayash (Centre for Complex Diabetes Care – Indigenous Patient Navigator) – (807) 684-6944
Carla Shawayhamaish (Indigenous Care Coordinator) – (807) 684-7920
Spiritual Care
Call (807) 684-6236 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (EST) and leave a message. Inpatients can also talk to their nurse or Indigenous Care Coordinator about contacting Spiritual Care. Bundles for smudging ceremonies are also available through the Spiritual Care office.
Traditional Healing
There are several traditional healers in Thunder Bay. For a list of current healers and available dates, please contact the Spiritual Care office at (807) 684-6236.
Healing Garden
The Healing Garden is located in the main courtyard on Level 1 across from Paediatrics, and is open to all patients and family members. The four sacred medicines are planted there: sage, sweet grass, cedar, and tobacco. For more information, please contact the Spiritual Care office at (807) 684-6236.
Smudging
A smudging bundle is available for public use 24/7 and can be found in the reception area of the Spiritual Care office. Smudging can be conducted in the Multi-faith Spiritual Centre, which is open 24/7 and can be found next to the Spiritual Care office on Level 2. Smudging can also be conducted seasonally in the Healing Garden on Level 1, across from Paediatrics. For more information, please call the Spiritual Care office at (807) 684-6236.
Other Supports and Information in Thunder Bay
There are many organizations in Thunder Bay that provide information, support, and services to First Nations (on- and off-reserve), Métis, and Inuit people visiting the city. Ask the staff at your community Nursing Station – they may be able to help. This list can also be found in the Thunder Bay Telephone book near the front.If you are in Sioux Lookout at the Meno-Ya-Win Health Centre, many of the staff there are familiar with healthcare services in Thunder Bay, and may be helpful as well. Here is a list of Indigenous Support Services in Thunder Bay for hospices, food and clothing banks, and other related services.
The City of Thunder Bay also provides information about food and clothing banks, support agencies, and other services.
Government Offices and Services
Many people travelling to Thunder Bay for the first time find it is convenient to get their official documents at this time including status card, driver’s license, etc. Here is more information about accessing those services:
For Federal Government Assistance (Social Insurance Number, etc.):
www.servicecanada.gc.ca/cgi-bin/sc-dsp.cgi?rc=3616&ln=eng
For Government of Ontario services (Driver’s License, etc.):
https://www.ontario.ca/page/serviceontario-locations-hours-and-contact (this location is directly cross from the Wequedong Lodge)
For Status Card
Indigenous Services Canada (Thunder Bay Business Centre)
100 Anemki Drive, Suite 101
Fort William First Nation, ON P7J 1A5
(807) 623-3534 (in Thunder Bay), 1-800-567-9604 (outside of Thunder Bay)
Indigenous Services Canada – Ontario Region Offices:
https://www.canada.ca/en/indigenous-services-canada.html
Status Card Renewal Information:
https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1100100032421/1572461539061#sec6
How to Apply, and Who is Eligible:
https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1100100032374/1572457769548
For Ontario Health Card
Unit 113, 435 James Street South
General Phone: 1-800-267-8097
Health Card Enquiry: 1-888-376-5197
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm
https://www.services.gov.on.ca/locations/locationDetail.do?id=12224
Share Your Story to Make a Change
How was your experience at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre? Whether you had a good experience or a bad one, the Health Sciences Centre wants to know. Feedback from the general public, including Indigenous patients travelling from out of town, helps change policies and services for better patient care.
All stories are fully confidential. Nobody will have their care stopped for telling their story, good or bad.
To tell your story, please fill in the Compliments and Concerns form and put it in one of the Suggestion Boxes found around the Health Sciences Centre, or online.
If you need a form or need help filling it in, please contact an Indigenous Patient Navigator or Indigenous Care Coordinator.
Your story will help us change the way we care for patients, including those coming from your community after you.
