es zúmin’ Primary Care Centre to open in Southern Stl’atl’imx territory

Press Release

Cultural safety means everything to me,” said Chief Kúkpwi7 Gélpcal from the Lil’wat Nation, raising his hands to honour the es zúmin’ Primary Care Centre. As he spoke to the community members, leaders and partners in attendance, he highlighted the collaboration it took to build es zúmin’ and the good medicine that was created along the journey.

Meaning to “to care for” in the Stl’atl’imx language, es zúmin’ is the second First Nations-Led Primary Care Centre (FNPCC) to open in the Vancouver Coastal Region and is part of the First Nations Health Authority’s (FNHA) First Nations-led Primary Care Initiative. ​

The centre, scheduled to open later this month, will enhance access to culturally safe health care services for the Líl̓wat, N’Quatqua, Samahquam, Skatin and Xa’xtsa (Douglas) communities. Clients will  receive care from a collaborative group of health care providers, including primary care providers, traditional wellness, and allied health practitioners.

“It means a lot to me to have culture be held so high in a health environment. It means we have room for spiritual healing, cultural healing, land-based healing.”

Chief Kúkpwi7 Gélpcal’s words echoed the feelings of gratitude and appreciation offered by others during the community gathering. The event served as an opportunity to recognize community leaders for their contributions to the opening of es zúmin’, and to celebrate the milestone with the FNHA and other partners.

“I raise my hands to all those that worked hard at bringing this all together. Our health department, our health directors, FNHA staff; this is just the beginning,” said Kúkwpi7 Don Harris. ​

Kúkwpi7 Dean Nelson, Líl̓wat expressed that the opening of the Centre will allow the health of each community to move forward in a positive direction. “Thank you all that have been part of it and have moved it forward.”

IHT4