10/28/2025
MEDIA RELEASE
Letters of Relationship Celebration Strengthens Partnerships and Cultural Safety in Health Care
North Bay Indigenous Hub honours relationships, connection, and shared commitment to reconciliation
North Bay, Ontario — September 29, 2025 — The North Bay Indigenous Hub proudly hosted the Letters of Relationship Celebration, marking a significant milestone in the Models of Care Project — a collaborative initiative focused on improving cultural safety and Indigenous health outcomes across the region.
The event, held during the week of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, brought together community leaders, organizations, and partners who have demonstrated their commitment to reconciliation and culturally safe health care practices. Fifteen community partners from the North Bay and Parry Sound District formally signed Letters of Partnership with the North Bay Indigenous Hub, affirming a shared vision of building safe, inclusive, and culturally respectful pathways for Indigenous community members.
A Story of Reflection and Change
Executive Director Lauree Linklater-Pizzale, who also leads the Models of Care Project, reflected on her personal journey that inspired this work.
“About a year and a half into our work at the Hub, I realized that cultural safety wasn’t just something we could talk about — it had to be part of who we are,” said Linklater-Pizzale. “As someone who has personally experienced racism in health care, I initially felt that educating others wasn’t my responsibility. But I was reminded that I have a voice — and if I am facing this, so are others. My life’s work has always been to ensure our people receive quality, accessible, and safe care.”
The Models of Care Project, launched in October 2024, takes a distinctly Indigenous approach grounded in connection, ceremony, and teachings. Guided by Elders and Knowledge Keepers, the team integrates Indigenous ways of knowing and being into every aspect of the project.
To date, the project has completed extensive community engagement, including online surveys, interviews, cultural learning gatherings, and cultural safety assessments. A documentary capturing the project’s journey is currently in production.
Honouring Partnerships and Shared Purpose
The Letters of Relationship Celebration recognized fifteen partner organizations for their dedication to reconciliation and collaboration:
North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board
Hands, the Family Network
Nipissing Serenity Hospice
Canadian Mental Health Association
PHARA
Powassan Family Health Team
Crisis Centre North Bay
AIDS Committee of North Bay and Area
Children’s Aid Society of the District of North Bay and Parry Sound
West Nipissing Community Health Centre
North Bay Regional Health Centre
Outloud North Bay
Amelia Rising Sexual Violence Support Centre
North Bay Police Service
Through these partnerships, more than 3,000 Indigenous Cultural Safety Training modules have been made available to community partners — more than quadrupling the initial goal of 700 — ensuring that more health and social service providers have access to culturally grounded learning opportunities.
Looking Ahead
The North Bay Indigenous Hub and its partners are committed to continuing this important work through 2026 and beyond. Next steps include ongoing journey mapping, plaque presentations for completed trainings, exploring medical accreditation for physicians, hosting additional cultural learning gatherings, and completing the project’s final documentary and report.
“This work is about building trust, understanding, and accountability,” said Linklater-Pizzale. “It’s about learning to truly listen, acknowledging biases, and creating safe spaces for Indigenous worldviews. Today, we celebrate not only our progress, but our shared responsibility to create a better tomorrow — together.”
The celebration also acknowledged the Calls to Action on Health (18–24) from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, reinforcing the Hub’s ongoing efforts to address systemic gaps and promote Indigenous healing practices within the health-care system.
As a gesture of gratitude, each partner organization received a symbolic print — a reminder of the relationships built and the collective commitment to reconciliation.
