A new chapter in the Fort St. James community was marked on Friday, May 23, 2025, with the official naming of the new health care facility to Nats’oojeh Hospital and Health Centre - a name that honours the heritage and values of the local Indigenous peoples.
The name Nats’oojeh (NAT-SOO-JAY), which means “everyone healing” in the Dakelh language, was chosen through consultation with Elders and language experts from the Nak’azdli, Binche, Tl’azt’en, Yekooche, and Takla First Nations. It reflects a holistic vision of healing that includes medicine, caring for loved ones, traditional practices, and mutual support.
The naming ceremony featured a territorial welcome and blessing, as well as speeches from local and provincial leaders, including Chief Erickson of Nak’azdli Whut’en, Fort St. James Mayor Martin Elphee, and BC Minister of Health Josie Osborne. A ribbon-cutting concluded the event.
The facility opened in January 2025 and was designed and built in collaboration with local First Nations to ensure it is welcoming and culturally safe. It features a spiritual space with specialized ventilation for smudging and a healing garden with traditional plants and medicines.
The new name and design underscore a commitment to reconciliation and culturally respectful health care, recognizing the importance of Indigenous voices and traditions in shaping community wellness.
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