A Blessing for the Land
On Friday, May 27, 2022, in pouring rain, a small ceremony was held on the grounds of the Stuart Lake Hospital. Led by Jolene Prince of Nak’azdli Whut'en, the ceremony blessed the ground, the current and future hospital buildings, the health of those who contribute to health care in the community and those who seek healing at the Stuart Lake Hospital.
A small group representing partner Indigenous Nations, Northern Health staff and leaders, physicians, and groups who contributed to the planning and building of the new hospital assembled for the blessing. Prayers and hopes for the new hospital, for its staff, physicians, and patients were spoken by all, and appreciation for the collaboration and hard work required to organize and build the hospital were expressed.
This quiet occasion acknowledged the hard work of community and partners over many years to bring this project to the threshold of construction. Many more opportunities to connect and celebrate lie in the future.
Keep track of updates to the hospital replacement project here, at Let’s Talk, and on Facebook. Reach out with questions to LetsTalkSLH@northernhealth.ca. Stay in touch and stay tuned for milestones to celebrate and opportunities to connect.
Wilf Adam, Northern Health Board Member, joins Jolene Prince in prayers for a culturally safe and healthy hospital
Elders from Nak'azdli, Tl'azt'en and Binche Nation came together with community members and NH staff for the ground blessing ceremony
Betsy Dennis of Binche
Greg Marr, SOO Northern Interior Rural and Co-Chair of the Stuart Lake Hospital Replacement Project, and Binche Health Director Carrie Nash
Primary Care Society Chair Ann McCormick drumming
Councillor Dr. Paul Stent has worked in health care in Fort St. James since 1988 
Doreen Austin from Tl'azt'en honoured the ceremony with song
