New diversity alliance a 'big responsibility' for Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare

When Martin Thompson walks in the underground tunnels of Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH) he sees himself in the murals along the walls, signs of inclusivity he hopes to see grow by leading the organization's new diversity alliance. 

What started out as an anti-Black racism task force two years ago has evolved into what's been formally established as the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Indigenity (EDII) alliance last week. The death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, sparked conversations internally about how the organization can better eliminate racism and be more of a welcoming place for all staff and patients.

"The things I hear and see that I've experienced, the majority of it isn't hateful, but it's ignorant, it's misunderstanding," said alliance chair Thompson, who is also a peer advisor with the Assertive Community Treatment team, assisting people with severe mental illness.

A co-worker asking Thompson if he knows another person simply because they're also Black is an example of conversations he said he would like to see stop through education and awareness.

"The person is not necessarily being inherently racist, but they're not understanding that it can be insulting to assume all Black people know one and another," said Thompson.

At 51 years old, Thompson said these experiences are unfortunately just "part of your fibre."

"It's what happens. It's almost like it's OK," he added.

The alliance is meant to ensure everyone is treated equally, he said. It includes voices from the Black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC) communities, LGBTQ people and those with disabilities.

During his nearly 20 years at HDGH, Thompson said he's loved the working environment and has always been accepted, but he hopes to "make it even better."

Within several months of the alliance forming, the graves of Indigenous children started being more widely detected in 2021. Then the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the alliance also started including Indigenous issues within their scope.

"Finding out about all these children that were found in these graves. We kind of jumped on that naturally, as a group, and we actually ended up writing a letter to the Pope asking for the Indigenous population to be addressed with an apology and with movement on truth and reconciliation," said Thompson.

"You could feel the energy and that's how it started and the momentum has kept rolling," he added.

They've hired external consultant Dr. Tapo Chimbganda to come back with recommendations on how to implement policies related to diversity and equity. She has a medical background in psychotherapy and mental health as well as a PhD in language, culture and teaching.

She's helped other hospitals with similar initiatives, including Bluewater Health in Sarnia.