• Call-Out for Artists and Photographers: Local and Regional Photography and Art

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    Northern Health invites local artists and photographers to submit original artwork, Indigenous art, and/or photographs to be purchased/licensed by Northern Health and used for permanent display in various locations within the new Nats’oojeh Hospital and Health Centre in Fort St. James.

    Download a PDF copy of this opportunity to share with your extended network, colleagues, friends, and family.

    Selected physical artworks will be displayed in cases throughout the lobby.

    Selected photographs will be professionally printed, framed, and displayed along the walls.

    Theme: “What our region means to you”

    We invite artists of all ages to share visual works that reflect the heart of Fort St. James and the surrounding five Nations: Nak’azdli, Binche, Tl’azt’en, Yekooche, and Takla.

    This is a celebration of the people, places, and stories that shape our region. Whether it’s the natural beauty of the land, the strength of community, or the cultural traditions of the local First Nations, we want to see what makes this place meaningful to you.

    Submissions may include a variety of visual art forms such as photography, paintings, drawings, sculptures, beadwork, or other creative mediums. Imagery can reflect nature, wildlife, landscapes, people, or any other aspect that expresses what the region means to you. All artworks should be grounded in the identity of Fort St. James and/or respectfully reflect the voices, histories, and perspectives of the surrounding five Nations.

    Let your art tell the story of our home and the connections that bring us together.

    Compensation:

    Each artist may submit up to five original pieces. For every piece selected, Northern Health will provide a payment of $1,800, with a maximum of $9,000 per artist.

    Submission Guidelines:

    You may submit up to five original pieces, this can include photographs, physical artwork, or a combination of both. For each piece, please include a short description explaining how it connects to the theme “What our region means to you.”

    If submitting photographs:

    • Upload the original, full-resolution JPEG file. Avoid screenshots or compressed versions.

    • Select “Actual Size” or “Full Resolution” when sending files. This helps preserve image quality.

    • Do not submit low-resolution or compressed images. These may appear blurry or pixelated when printed.

    • Image resolution should be at least 150 PPI (pixels per inch).

    • If using a smartphone camera, ensure the file size is between 5–10 MB or more to meet quality standards.

    • Because high-quality files can be quite large, we encourage you to use file-sharing services such as WeTransfer, Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive to submit your artwork.

    • Email attachments may not support the file size. If you prefer to submit your work in person (e.g., on a USB drive or external hard drive), please contact us to arrange a drop-off time.

    If submitting physical artwork:

    • Provide a clear photo of the piece.

    • Include the approximate dimensions (height, width, and depth if applicable).

    • If there are any care or maintenance instructions for the piece, please include them.

    Additional notes:

    • You do not need to arrange printing, ordering, or installation of either photographs or physical artwork as Northern Health is responsible for doing so.

    • All submissions remain the property of the artist or photographer and are used only for evaluation purposes.

    • If your submission is not selected, your images will not be used or shared outside of the evaluation committee.

    • Please feel free to include watermarks and/or logos in the submission of images.

    Evaluation Criteria:

    All submissions will be reviewed by the Nats’oojeh Hospital and Health Centre Art Committee. Artwork will be assessed based on the following:

    • How well the piece reflects the theme “What our region means to you.”

    • Inclusion of, or respectful representation of, local Indigenous cultures and traditions.

    • The artwork’s ability to foster a sense of comfort, calm, and community within the hospital setting.

    • Creativity, craftsmanship, and uniqueness of the piece.

    Please note: The Art Committee will make the final decision on the placement of selected artwork within the hospital to ensure it aligns with the space and overall environment.

    Legal Information:

    Selected artists/photographers will be required to sign a formal agreement, assigning certain intellectual property rights to Northern Health. Within the agreement, the artist/photographer will license the physical display of the images/art.

    Northern Health will not reproduce or distribute the images without express consent from the artist/photographer; however, as part of a public display, photographs or images of the facility used for promotional material may capture the artwork on site. Such use will be authorized within the agreement.

    Estimated Schedule:

    August 15, 2025

    Submission period opens

    October 3, 2025, at 4:00pm

    Submission period closes

    October 17, 2025

    Submissions reviewed by Art Committee

    October 31, 2025

    Submissions are approved by Northern Health

    Week of November 3, 2025

    Artist is contacted about successful submissions


    How to Submit:

    Please submit your package with the subject:

    “Nats’oojeh Hospital and Health Centre Art Submission”

    To: Emily Prestmo, Community Engagement Liaison Officer

    Email: Emily.Prestmo@northernhealth.ca

    Questions?

    Please email Emily (Emily.Prestmo@northernhealth.ca) if you have any questions or require any additional information regarding this opportunity.

  • Nats’oojeh Hospital and Health Centre

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    Today, Minister of Health Josie Osborne joined representatives from Nak'azdli Whut'en, the Stuart-Nechako Regional Hospital District, the District of Fort St. James, and the Primary Care Society to celebrate the official opening of the new health care facility in Fort St. James.

    During the event, it was announced that the facility will now be known as Nats’oojeh Hospital and Health Centre. The name, meaning “everyone healing” in the Dakelh language, was chosen with guidance from Elders and language experts from the Nak’azdli, Binche, Tl’azt’en, Yekooche, and Takla First Nations.

    Nats’oojeh reflects a deeper meaning of healing through medicine, holistic care, caring for loved ones, and supporting one another. It is a name that honours the spirit of community and wellness at the heart of this new facility.


  • New Beginnings: Celebrating a Successful Move to the new Fort St. James Hospital and Health Centre

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    Thank you to all who were involved in the move from Stuart Lake General Hospital! Your care, dedication, and commitment made it a success.

    Stuart Lake General Hospital is now permanently closed, and the new Fort St. James Hospital and Health Centre is open.

    The Fort St. James Health Centre will be open at the new facility on January 20th.

    Stay tuned for more updates. See photos of the move below!

    Cailen, our Medical Radiation Tech, joins her colleagues in signing the old sign, marking a memorable moment for the team. A member of the hospital relocation team helps staff safely transfer a resident to the new Fort St. James Hospital.

    The team gathers for a celebratory photo after successfully transferring all patients to the new Fort St. James Hospital.
    Our lab team, excited to get to work in their new space.




  • Important Update: Emergency Department Relocation

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    Stuart Lake General Hospital will be permanently relocating to the new Fort St. James Hospital and Health Centre at 606 Stuart Drive East on January 14, 2025.

    Key Details:

    • Closure of Current Emergency Department: The Emergency Department at Stuart Lake General Hospital will close at 7:00am on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
    • Opening of New Emergency Department: Simultaneously, the Emergency Department at the new Fort St. James Hospital and Health Centre will open for ambulance arrivals and public walk-ins.

    What This Means for You:

    Starting at 7:00am on January 14, 2025, all emergency care services will be provided at the new Fort St. James Hospital and Health Centre. If you require emergency care, please go directly to the new location.

    Transition of Care:

    If you are receiving treatment in the Emergency Department at Stuart Lake General Hospital during the transition at 7:00am, your care will continue there. Should you need to be admitted, you will be transferred to the new Fort St. James Hospital and Health Centre.

    We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this transition. Stay tuned for more updates as we prepare for the move.

  • Opening Dates for the new Fort St. James Hospital and Health Centre

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    The new Fort St. James Hospital and Health Centre is opening on January 14, 2025! The new address is 606 Stuart Drive East, and it is located directly behind the current Stuart Lake Hospital.

    This new facility will significantly improve the healthcare services available in the Fort St. James area. It will replace both the existing Stuart Lake General Hospital and the Fort St. James Health Centre, providing a centralized location.

    Important Dates to Remember:

    • Stuart Lake General Hospital: The move to the new location will take place on January 14, 2025. Please ensure you do not visit the old hospital after this date.
    • Fort St. James Health Centre: The move to the new location will occur on January 20, 2025. Similarly, please avoid visiting the old health centre after this date.

    Stay tuned for more updates and information as we approach opening day!

  • Supporting Families: The New Palliative Care Lounge

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    One of the features of the new Fort St. James Hospital and Health Centre is the family lounge connected to the palliative care room. This lounge lets family and friends stay close to their loved ones in a cozy and supportive space. It also has direct access to the outdoor healing garden, a perfect spot for relaxation.

    We believe that a warm and welcoming atmosphere is crucial for the well-being of our patients and their families. The healing garden and family lounge are just a couple of ways we are making our facility a place of comfort.

    Above: The family lounge connected to the palliative care room, offering a space for loved ones to gather.

    Above: A summer view of the healing garden, easily accessible from the family lounge.


    We can't wait to welcome the community! Until then, stay tuned for project updates and feel free to ask any questions in the comments below.

  • New Fort St. James Hospital and Health Centre Opening in January 2025!

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    Great news! The new Fort St. James Hospital and Health Centre is opening this January at 606 Stuart Drive East, right behind the current Stuart Lake Hospital.

    This new facility will replace both the Stuart Lake General Hospital and the Fort St. James Health Centre, bringing all healthcare services together in one place.

    This week, our team practiced moving patients to the new hospital to make sure everything goes smoothly and safely. Check out the photos from the practice move below!

    We can't wait to welcome you to our new facility. Stay tuned for more updates!

  • Built to Be Green: Environmental Sustainability at the New Facility

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    The new Fort St. James Hospital and Health Centre is designed with a strong focus on energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. Here are just some of the key features that make this facility eco-friendly.

    High-Performance Windows

    All windows are designed to minimize heat loss in winter and keep the building cool in summer.

    Energy-Efficient LED LightsLED lights last longer and reduce waste, contributing to the hospital's overall energy efficiency.

    Eco-Friendly MaterialsThe facility protects your health and the environment by using materials with low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Low VOC products come with environmental and health declarations, guaranteeing their safety and eco-friendliness.

    Reduced Fossil Fuel UseThe new building uses 50% less fossil fuel per square foot than the current hospital. This is achieved through heat recovery systems, high-efficiency boilers, and a heat pump that recycles air to preheat water.

    Green TransportationGreen transportation is supported with plenty of bike storage areas and three electric vehicle parking spots.

    Water-Efficient Landscaping The landscaping of the Healing Garden and other outdoor areas combines low-water plants with existing vegetation, reducing irrigation water use by 99%.

    We can't wait to welcome the community in January 2025. Until then, check back for project updates and ask questions in the comments!

  • Community Members Star in New Hospital and Health Centre Photo Shoot

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    Last week, at the new Fort St. James Hospital and Health Centre, we worked with the team from ZGF Architects to take pictures of the facility before it opens in January 2025! We asked community members to be models and show how the space will be used.

    Right now, we are training our staff in the new space and putting on the finishing touches before we welcome patients in the new year.

    Check out the behind-the-scenes photos from our photo shoot below!

    Lobby


    Gathering Space


    Reception (left), Long-term care common area (right)

  • Honouring Culture: Dakelh Language Signs

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    We're excited to share that the new Fort St. James hospital will have signs in Dakelh, the language of the Nak’azdli Whut’en territory.


    These signs were made with the guidance of Elders and language experts from the Nak’azdli, Binche, Tl’azt’en, Yekooche, and Takla First Nations.

    The opening of this hospital is more than just a new building; it's a chance to reflect on our past and plan for a better future. By using the Dakelh language, we aim to provide culturally safe care to everyone who uses the new hospital.


    We can't wait to welcome the community into the new hospital in January 2025! Until then, check back for project updates.