Interior Health's Cariboo Memorial Hospital (CMH) Redevelopment Project team recently travelled throughout the Cariboo to reconnect with Indigenous communities and share how their voices are helping shape the future of the new CMH building.
From May 25 to 28, the team visited communities that included T'exelc (Williams Lake First Nation, also known as Sugarcane), Esk’etemc, Tŝideldel, Tl’esqox and Xeni Gwet’in. They reported back on how ideas shared during earlier engagement sessions have been incorporated into Phase 1 of the redevelopment project.
The tour was an opportunity to "close the circle,” an important step in meaningful engagement that shows communities how their feedback is influencing decisions while creating space for additional conversations, ideas and relationship building.
Each session began in a good way with prayer, drumming or introductions from Elders. The sessions included a shared meal, project updates and opportunities for participants to view design renderings, and discuss how Indigenous cultures, languages and traditions are being reflected throughout future spaces in the hospital expansion.
Community members expressed appreciation for seeing Indigenous representation woven into both the design and function of the new facility.
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Feedback gathered through previous engagements has helped inform culturally meaningful features, including spaces for ceremony and smudging, larger patient and family gathering areas, an Indigenous Patient Navigator office, dedicated sacred space, and opportunities for Indigenous artwork and language to be displayed throughout the building.
Over the week, conversations also highlighted the importance of traditional medicines, language revitalization, culturally safe care, and ensuring Indigenous patients and families feel welcomed and represented when accessing health services.
The visit to Xeni Gwet'in provided the project team with a greater appreciation of the distance many community members travel to receive health care.
While there, the team toured the Sambulyan Centre, visited a traditional pit house and learned about the cultural significance of traditional Tŝilhqot'in baby baskets, deepening their understanding of the knowledge, traditions and connections that will help inform the project moving forward.
The engagement tour also created new opportunities to partner with Indigenous artists, culture and language departments, and community members who will continue to guide artwork, representation and cultural safety initiatives as the project progresses.
Planning is also underway for Nation-specific cultural safety education for staff, a smudging ceremony before the hospital opens and a celebration with Nation partners once Indigenous artwork has been installed.
The CMH Redevelopment Project will continue to work alongside Indigenous communities throughout Phase 2 and renovations to the existing hospital, ensuring the hospital reflects the voices, cultures and priorities of the Nations it serves.
By returning to communities and demonstrating how their input is making a difference, IH continues to strengthen relationships built on trust, respect and partnership.
