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Ground blessing ceremony
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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.
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Get your hands dirty at the new Dawson Creek Community Garden
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We are excited to share that we have relocated the Dawson Creek Community Garden and it is now open to the public!
The community garden was relocated from the Northwest corner of Northern Lights College's property in order to make space for the new Dawson Creek and District Hospital. The relocation project was done in collaboration with the Dawson Creek Community Garden Society, Northern Lights College, Stantec Inc., and Northern Legendary Construction Ltd. Construction began in June 2021 and was completed in September 2021. We maintained and transferred architectural features from the old garden including the entryway gate and the metal memorial bench.
The Dawson Creek Community Garden Society hosted their grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, June 18. Although it rained most of the morning, that didn’t damper the mood of those in attendance. The event started with speeches from Fern Hansen (President, Community Garden Society), Ashley Pannozzo (Community Engagement Liaison, DCDH Replacement Project), Katie MacLeod (Project Manager, Clark Builders), and Shaely Wilbur (Council Member, City of Dawson Creek). Following the speeches, attendees enjoyed cupcakes and a walk through the garden.
“This year, I’m looking forward to the community garden continuing to be well received and respected and for society members to continue to garden because we’re off to a fabulous start,” said Fern Hansen, President of the Dawson Creek Community Garden Society. “With the relocation, we’re so happy to have the new fence for protection, and the raised garden beds for easier access to gardening. They’re much more practical in terms of use, they look beautiful, and they’re easier to work with because you’re not crawling on the ground.”
Now that the community garden is officially open, citizens of Dawson Creek can get their hands dirty this planting season and grow locally, all while enjoying the company of fellow gardeners on the new site.
