Ground blessing ceremony

On Monday, June 19, a ground blessing ceremony was held on the site of the new Dawson Creek and District Hospital to pay respects to the territory on which the new hospital will be located. We were honoured to have Elder Della Owens from Saulteau First Nations lead the ceremony and blessing.

The morning began with Russ Beerling, Northern Health Board Member, sharing remarks about the commitment that Northern Health has to working hand in hand and side by side with the local First Nations on whose territory we are on, and in the region, to build a safe and welcoming place of healing and wellness.

Following the opening remarks, Elder Della Owens was invited to lead those in attendance through the blessing. Witnesses to the ceremony were seated in a circle and joined her with their heads lowered and hands open as she shared a prayer in Cree. Elder Della prayed and shared blessings for health of the land, for those who will build the hospital, for those who will work at the hospital, and for those who will come to the hospital for healing.

This was an important step for the project while the land was undisturbed and before construction began.

Witnesses to the ceremony included representatives from the Treaty 8 Tribal Association, Saulteau First Nations, the Peace River Regional Hospital District, the City of Dawson Creek and Graham Design Builders; as well as Northern Health's Board of Directors, Indigenous Health, and the DCDH project management team.

As the Dawson Creek & District Hospital Replacement Project progresses, we are continuing to focus on collaboration with Indigenous partners which we hope will lead to improved wellness and more positive outcomes for all people, communities and Nations in Northeast BC. Local Indigenous communities are being consulted throughout the design process to ensure that the new facility is cultural safe, welcoming, respectful and relevant.