Embedding Indigenous cultural elements into the new Dawson Creek & District Hospital

In recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we acknowledge the history and legacy of the residential school system, honour the survivors, and remember the children who did not return home. We are committed to acknowledging the long-lasting effects of this history and educating ourselves about the impact it has had on Indigenous peoples, families, and communities.

Northern Health and the Dawson Creek and District Hospital Replacement Project Team are committed to developing and implementing an engagement and communication strategy that is founded on recognition, respect, co-operation, and partnership with local Indigenous communities and partners.

The Dawson Creek and District Hospital (DCDH) serves the communities of the Peace Region, the Treaty 8 First Nations and Kelly Lake Cree Nation. We are grateful to live and work in Treaty 8 territory, on the traditional lands of those Nations represented in the Treaty 8 Tribal Association, the ancestral home of the Sicannie (Sikanni), Slavey, Beaver (Dane-Zaa), Cree, and Saulteau. We also acknowledge Métis Nation BC Citizens and Chartered Communities across the North.

The new state-of-the-art Dawson Creek and District Hospital will be designed to improve the care and healing environment for patients, promote culturally safe care and will be built with feedback gathered from local Indigenous communities, as well as stakeholders in Dawson Creek and surrounding communities.

In the early stages of the project, we formed a Capital Advisory Committee (CAC) in order to gather advice and recommendations on local and cultural considerations, patient experiences, First Nations engagement, culturally appropriate design input, and related topics. The CAC has representation from Saulteau First Nations, West Moberly First Nations, Kelly Lake Cree Nation, the First Nations Health Authority, and Indigenous Health.

Over the coming months we will engage with local Indigenous communities, organizations, and groups for recommendations and advice pertaining to Indigenous cultural values and practices as they relate to capital projects. We will be forming an Indigenous Advisory Working Group (IAWG) which is envisioned to offer a safe space for Indigenous people’s input into design aspects of the project. The purpose of the IAWG is to ensure the new facility is culturally safe, welcoming, respectful and relevant. We will be seeking representation for the IAWG from the Treaty 8 Tribal Association, Saulteau First Nations, West Moberly First Nations, Doig River First Nation, Halfway River First Nation, Prophet River First Nation, Blueberry River First Nation, Fort Nelson First Nation, Kelly Lake Cree Nation, North East Métis Association, Moccasin Flats Métis Society and more.

Before any construction work begins on the land of the new hospital, we will work with local Indigenous communities to honour and recognize the relationship between the traditional territory of the Treaty 8 First Nations and the Dawson Creek and District Hospital Replacement Project.

As the design of the new hospital progresses, we are working closely with the preferred proponent, Clark Builders-Turner-HDR-Architecture (the Design-Builder), to ensure that the new facility is welcoming, inviting, and supportive of the spiritual health of all people and that Indigenous cultural elements are demonstrated throughout the facility. This includes:

• Incorporating features that reflect and represent local Indigenous communities
• Visual representation of Indigenous culture such as artwork, colour schemes, artefacts, landscaping and plants used for traditional healing
• A non-denominational spiritual room to accommodate and support cultural ceremonies, extended family, and multi-generational involvement in care
• Incorporating local Indigenous language, in addition to English, on select exterior and interior wayfinding signage

Note: The graphic used for this story was specially designed by Gitxsan artist Cori Johnson for Northern Health to recognize National Truth and Reconciliation/Orange shirt day. Read more about the graphic and the artist.