Image Credit: Cailin Cousins

By Cailin Cousins / Special to CFJC Today

Smudging Ceremony

Williams Lake First Nation stages blessing ceremony as preparations for Cariboo Memorial Hospital redevelopment continue

Jul 14, 2021 | 9:53 AM

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — The impending construction work to renovate and expand Cariboo Memorial Hospital were welcomed this week by a smudging ceremony held by Williams Lake Fire Nations (WLFN).

Approximately 30 people gathered at the gazebo area behind Deni House to participate in the ceremony that was led by David Archie, the Traditional Wellness / Cultural Coordinator with WLFN.

Everyone in the group was invited to participate in the ceremony by taking a pinch of sage, which would be offered as the blessing of the grounds. “The sage comes from our land, and it’s a great cleanser and healer of the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual parts of our being,” said Archie. “We offer these prayers for the safety of the workers, planners and leaders. When people come here to seek wellness, the prayers that were offered today offer them the first step of protection, safety and acceptance.”

The provincial government has earmarked $217.75 million to expand and renovate Cariboo Memorial Hospital. The project includes a new emergency department and medical surgical unit, expanded maternal and women’s health units, the addition of a mental-health and substance-use inpatient unit, a multi-purpose gathering room along with additional parking.

Williams Lake First Nations Chief Willie Sellars, took part in the ceremony and spoke about the First Nations input into the project. “A very important piece of that reconciliation discussion is inclusion of First Nations people, First Nations governments and making sure that opportunity is spread around and that it’s staying right here within the Williams Lake area,” he said. “Starting those discussions early and having them often are going to be key to the success and the rebuilding of those relationships between non-First Nations and First Nations people.”

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Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb, said he was looking forward to breaking ground and getting this project underway. “I’ll be glad to hear from Chief Willie and other members as we break ground and get this project underway so that we’re able to all heal, in a different way – there’s different ways we have to heal as with the reconciliation, as well. This will be a healing place and a place where many of our healings will take place and we can participate as a whole.”

The CMH redevelopment project will be completed in two phases. The first phase is a three-storey addition to the hospital campus. The second phase will be renovations to the existing facility.