Category Indigenous Culture Show all
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Integrating the Cree and Dane-zaa languages into wayfinding signage in the new Dawson Creek & District Hospital
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We are excited to share that the Dawson Creek & District Hospital Replacement Project has achieved a meaningful milestone in our journey toward cultural safety and inclusivity.
In collaboration with the Treaty 8 First Nations, we explored how the new hospital could reflect and honour the cultural heritage of the Indigenous peoples whose traditional territories it resides on and completed a thoughtful engagement process to integrate local Indigenous languages into the new facility.
As a result, the Cree and Dane-z̲aa languages will be integrated into the new hospital on select wayfinding signage including department entrance signs as well as key destination, room, and amenity signs.
Indigenous languages will also be integrated into the digital wayfinding kiosks offering an inclusive and accessible experience without the limitations of physical signage.
In addition, a dedicated welcome wall located in the main lobby of the new hospital will celebrate the diversity of our region by showcasing the many Indigenous and global languages spoken in our region. This wall will serve as a visual reminder of our shared commitment to inclusion, reconciliation, and cultural safety.
One of the core values of the Dawson Creek & District Hospital Replacement Project is providing culturally safe care to all who use the new facility. Language inclusion plays a vital role in honouring the diverse communities we serve, and we committed to ensuring it was done in an intentional and thoughtful way.
Our goal is to create a welcoming and respectful environment for Indigenous patients, families, visitors, and staff. We also want to ensure that the signage system remains inclusive and respectful of cultural diversity, while still fulfilling its core purpose: to guide and orient all users clearly, safely, and effectively.
This initiative is in alignment with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, particularly those that call on health care systems to recognize the value of Indigenous healing practices and to provide culturally safe care. By integrating Indigenous languages into the hospital environment, we are taking a meaningful step toward reconciliation – acknowledging the importance of language in identity, healing, and cultural continuity.
This work is a testament to the power of partnership and the importance of listening to community voices. We are grateful to the Elders and Knowledge Keepers who generously shared their time, wisdom, and traditional languages with us to help create a new facility that reflects the people it serves.
The integration of Indigenous languages is more than signage – it’s a step toward healing, recognition, and respect. We look forward to welcoming everyone into a hospital that honours the past, embraces the present, and builds a more inclusive future.
