The opening of the Ktunaxa Nation Regional Health Centre in downtown Cranbrook is the culmination of a long evolution of health care in ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa — the Ktunaxa territory — where traditions are valued as equally as the clinical system.
A grand opening was held for the Centre on 9th Street South Thursday, celebrating the delivery of health and wellness services for Ktunaxa members, their families and other Indigenous individuals who are living in ɁamakɁis Ktunaxa.
It will connect people to a range of services through the Ktunaxa Nation Council and partners like Interior Health.
Jared Basil hosted the opening ceremony, which saw the main room off 9th Street packed with well-wishers — staff, representatives of the Ktunaxa Nation, Interior Health, the City of Cranbrook and members of the general public. The Eagle Bear Spirit Drummer group performed on the sidewalk outside, and tours of the facility and a barbecue followed the speeches and ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Joe Pierre gave and opening prayer to start proceedings. Nasuʔkin Cheryl Casimer gave opening remarks, saying how sorely needed such a facility was for local First Nations people.
“It’s critically important that we can create safe spaces for our people — not just Ktunaxa, but all Indigenous people.” Non-Indigenous people are also welcome at the Centre, Casimer added.
“Creating this space doesn’t just happen on its own. What we need is long-term sustainable funding.”
She called on the First Nations Health Authority to help towards “long-term sustainable funding. Creating this space just doesn’t happen on its own.”
The establishment of the Centre was years in the works. Darrin Jamieson, Chief Administrative Officer of the Ktunaxa Nation Council, praised the project’s leadership for its determination and caring.
“Our approach is holistic, and culturally based,” Jamieson said. “The services really embody all that work that’s gone into it.
“The priority is Ktunaxa wellness (not illness), but it’s open to all residents of the East Kootenay.”
The Centre is in the former Mega Deals Furniture building on 9th Street, which was another furniture store in earlier times, Cockwell’s Furniture, where Wayne Price, now mayor of Cranbrook, worked as a delivery swamper as a youth.
“This is an important step in the revitalization of downtown Cranbrook, and an important step towards reconciliation,” Mayor Price said. “It wouldn’t have been possible without the vision of Ktunaxa leadership.”
Price mentioned the recent establishment of the Foundry Youth Centre and the recently opened Indigenous Justice Centre. These projects were six to seven years in the making, Price said. “It takes a lot of courage and a lot of community pride.”
Debbie Whitehead gave an overview of the evolution of the delivery of health care services for the Ktunaxa Nation. In the 1960s and ‘70s, the community was served by a community health nurse (Florence Alexander).
The Ktunaxa Nation Council hired a nurse practitioner in the 1980s, who delivered health services to all five communities.
In the 1990s ʔaq̓am opened a long-term care facility. In 2010 Operation Street Angel was opened. In 2012 the Nation bought the old Central School (Tembec building), and the Nation’s Social Investment Sector moved into that building.
The gathering also heard from Lisa Montgomery-Reid, Vice President at the First Nations Health Authority, Sheila Muxlow, Director of the Ktunaxa Nation’s Social Investment Sector, and Mark Masterson, Vice President of Medicine for Interior Health, one of the partners in the project.
“May this Health Centre be a place of health, safety, connection and care for all who walk through these doors,” Masterson said.
The centre uses a “circle of care” model that brings together a range of health professionals to support clients’ physical and mental well-being.
This team includes Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Outreach Licensed Practical Nurses, Foot Care Nurses, Counsellors, Mental Health and Addiction Support Workers, Social Workers, and Physiotherapists. Clients also have access to specialist providers, including an Internal Medicine Physician and a Psychiatrist.
Health centre professionals will provide outreach in nearby East Kootenay communities to help individuals and families navigate the health care system and connect with services.
