New Partnership Advances Community‑Driven Indigenous Health and Wellbeing in Ontario

Posted on March 5, 2026

HAMILTON, MARCH 4, 2026 – The Indigenous Primary Health Care Council (IPHCC) and Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC) are pleased to announce the signing of a new Relationship Agreement, marking a significant step in strengthening Indigenous‑led health systems and community wellbeing across Ontario. 

This partnership brings together two Indigenous‑governed organizations with long-standing commitments to advancing wholistic, culturally grounded, community‑driven services. Through this Agreement, IPHCC and OFIFC affirm their shared dedication to improving health outcomes for Indigenous Peoples by aligning efforts, sharing knowledge, and supporting coordinated approaches to primary care, culture‑based programming, and community wellness. 

Strengthening Indigenous Health Systems and Advancing Community Wellness  

IPHCC and OFIFC each play a vital role in supporting the health and wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples across Ontario. IPHCC advances Indigenous primary health care through system transformation, advocacy, and support for its network of Indigenous Primary Health Care Organizations. OFIFC, leads policy, research, and program development to support urban Indigenous self‑determination in health services, improving quality of life through strong, community‑driven, and culturally grounded services. 

Through this Relationship Agreement, the organizations will work together to strengthen Indigenous‑led health systems, enhance service pathways, and support coordinated, culture‑based approaches to care. Shared priorities include the resurgence of Indigenous owned, controlled, and operated health services, reconciliation as a step toward healing and addressing epistemic racism, transformation for Indigenous health pathways that clients can trust and feel safer to participate in, and reciprocity which includes the mutual exchange of respect, responsibilities and benefits between the parties involved. 

“This Relationship Agreement represents a meaningful step toward strengthening Indigenous-led wholistic health systems across Ontario. By working in partnership with OFIFC, we are aligning our efforts to advance culturally grounded, community-driven care that Indigenous people can trust and feel safe accessing,” says Caroline Lidstone-Jones, IPHCC’s CEO. “Together, we are reinforcing Indigenous self-determination and supporting coordinated pathways to wellness for our communities.”  

“The OFIFC is pleased to enter this partnership, recognizing it as an important step in advancing Indigenous self‑determination and strengthening Indigenous‑controlled health services. Our Friendship Centres continue to see a critical need for accessible primary care for urban Indigenous people, and formalizing this collaboration with IPHCC allows us to build on that shared commitment,” says Sean Longboat, OFIFC’s Executive Director. “Through this relationship agreement, we are creating a unified system of advocacy that ensures Indigenous priorities are centered in health service delivery and policy development.”  

To this end, the Agreement between IPHCC and OFIFC is rooted in principles that reflect the shared values and responsibilities of both organizations, including: 

• Culturally Safe & Respectful Relationships: Commit to environments free from racism and discrimination, grounded in kindness, transparency, and mutual respect. 

• Shared Purpose & Decision-Making: Work collaboratively toward a common vision, ensuring all voices are included and decisions are made jointly. 

• Equitable, Reflective, and Accountable Practice: Ensure fair participation, ongoing reflection, and respect for Indigenous autonomy, governance, and data sovereignty. 

• Solutions Focused Communication: Maintain open, timely, and thoughtful communication to address challenges and support each party’s advocacy needs. 

• Two Eyed Seeing Approach: Use the strengths of both Indigenous and Western ways of knowing together to guide problem solving and transformation. 

The signing ceremony, held on March 4, 2026 and hosted by De dwa da dehs nye>s Aboriginal Health Access Centre (DAHAC), brought together leadership and representatives from IPHCC and OFIFC to formally mark the partnership and celebrate the shared vison. The event opened with welcome remarks from Janet Gasparelli, Chief Executive Officer of DAHAC, followed by a tour of the facility highlighting the organization’s contributions, culture and purpose. Attendees then relocated to Hamilton Regional Indian Centre where Audrey Davis, Executive Director, offered welcoming remarks before guests gathered for a shared feast hosted by the organization.  The visit concluded with a tour of the site showcasing its programs and community commitments.  

Partner Information  

The Indigenous Primary Health Care Council is an Indigenous-governed, culture-based organization with a mandate to support the advancement and evolution of Indigenous primary health-care services across Ontario. IPHCC represents 21 Indigenous Primary Health Care Organizations located in 38 sites across the province. IPHCC works to strengthen Indigenous health systems through advocacy, capacity building, research, and community‑driven solutions. iphcc.ca  

Founded in 1971, the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres is a provincial Indigenous organization representing 31 Friendship Centres across Ontario. With more than 88% of Indigenous people living in urban communities, the OFIFC works to advance urban Indigenous self‑determination through policy advocacy, research, program development, and capacity building. ofifc.org 

For more information, please contact:  

Indigenous Primary Health Care Council 

communications@iphcc.ca 

Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres 

communications@ofifc.org