The Indigenous Care Team’s Impact During Indigenous History Month

Throughout June, Northern Health’s (NH) Indigenous Care Team led and supported a wide range of events and activities across the region to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day and Indigenous History Month. These gatherings brought together staff, Elders, community members, and partners to honour Indigenous cultures, languages, and traditions — and to reflect on the importance of reconciliation in health care.

From traditional foods and language sharing to storytelling, drumming, and land-based learning, each site found meaningful ways to celebrate and connect.

Highlights from across Northern Health:

• Kitimat General Hospital partnered with the Haisla Elder’s Centre to host an Elder’s lunch and a fry bread and language session, where staff learned common phrases in X̄aʼislak̓ala. The team also expanded their Indigenous lending library, featuring works by Indigenous authors.
• GR Baker Memorial Hospital (Quesnel) hosted a booth at Lhtako Dene Park on June 21, offering Southern Carrier name tags as a fun and educational family activity.
• Prince Rupert Regional Hospital collaborated with Acropolis Manor for a celebration featuring a high school dance group, fried bread, and Hudson Bay tea. A follow-up lunch-and-learn focused on local Indigenous medicines.

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• University Hospital of Northern BC (Prince George) joined the festivities at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park, offering personal care bags, refreshments, and gifts to community members.
• Northern Haida Gwaii Hospital (Masset) held a lunch with long-term and assisted living clients and gathered community feedback on a presentation about Haida protocols in health care.
• Wrinch Memorial Hospital (Hazelton) hosted a series of events including a “Walk to the Beat of the Drum” at ‘Ksan Campground, storytelling, longhouse tours, and drumming in long-term care.
• St. John Hospital (Vanderhoof) and Stuart Nechako Manor served bannock with huckleberry jam and elk stew, bringing traditional foods to both staff and residents.

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  Nats’oojeh Hospital (Fort St. James) celebrated with elk stew, bannock, and huckleberry jam, and offered smudging ceremonies in the new sacred space using spruce powder and sage.

• Haida Gwaii Hospital (Daajing Giids) hosted a seafood luncheon for Elders, accompanied by Haida drumming and singing, welcoming all facility staff to join in the celebration.
• Fort St. John Hospital honored the Dunne Zaa people with a display table featuring traditional beadwork and information on Dunne Zaa culture and history, encouraging reflection on reconciliation and cultural awareness.

These events reflect NH’s ongoing commitment to Truth and Reconciliation by creating space for Indigenous voices, traditions, and leadership within the health care system. They also highlight the importance of cultural safety, community connection, and the celebration of Indigenous knowledge and resilience.

The Indigenous Care Team plays a vital role in this work — supporting staff, patients, and communities through culturally safe practices, advocacy, and relationship-building. To learn more about their work or to connect with the team, visit the Indigenous Care Team site.