Ya·kiⱡ ʔawumuʔtiⱡamnamki Ktunaxa Regional Health Centre opens
May 8, 2025
Many gathered in ʔa·kisk̓aqǂiʔit to mark the opening of the Ktunaxa Nation Regional Health Centre.
Located in downtown Cranbrook at 32 9th Avenue South, the new centre is a hub for health and wellness services for Ktunaxa members, their families and other Indigenous individuals who are living in Ɂamaʔkis Ktunaxa.
The celebration was heralded by the singing and drumming of Eagle Bear Spirit Drum Group, led by Moose Luke, with Bertha Andrew, Deanna Eaton, Joe Pierre and Pete Sanchez. Their songs included an Honour Song.
Jared Basil was emcee. He said, “We appreciate everybody for being mindful of Ktunaxa protocol. Everything we do we, do in line with our values and our beliefs.”
Joe Pierre shared the opening prayer, asking Creator to bless the gathering and those present with open hearts and open minds during the day, and to look into the lives of those who may not have been able to come to the opening due to health issues. He shared his gratitude for many things, including the women and mothers of the Ktunaxa Nation. He then sang a song to complete the prayer.
“It’s critically important that we can create safe spaces for our people — not just Ktunaxa, but all Indigenous people,” said ʔaq̓am Nasuʔkin Cheryl Casimer during her remarks.
Casimer said she was happy to be there and to see so many who came to join in the opening. She acknowledged Joe Pierre and Eagle Bear Spirit.
“As I was listening to those songs this morning, I was thinking, ‘When was the last time that this space—here—heard the drums? When was the last time they heard our songs?’ Because this used to be one of our main areas, ʔa·kisk̓aqǂiʔit, this was a main area we would gather before reserves.
“It makes me happy knowing that we as a Nation are starting to reclaim spaces within our territory. These places that haven’t heard our language and our songs for so long are starting to have that happen again. It’s important. And it’s important today that we can talk about this centre, which will provide a quality level of health care for our people, which is sorely needed.”
Casimer summed up what the new health centre offers: “The best care, that is culturally based, for people to come in and access services.”
The health centre represents the culmination of decades of healthcare capacity building, as Debbie Whitehead outlined in her remarks.
“The St. Mary’s Band, now called ʔaq̓am, had Community Health Representatives in each community dating back to the mid-70s,” she said. “Florence Alexander taught me how to navigate patient support and wellness: How to access a doctor, public health and other pathways to wellness.”
“This was done with kindness and respect, incorporating cultural ways. Many times, meeting with families could be in the parking lot, inside a car or out in front of someone’s home.
“Today, KNC Health serves more than 1,400 patients, including over 400 Ktunaxa and Shuswap citizens attached to our nurse practitioners,” Whitehead said.
The centre houses the Ktunaxa Nation Health Clinic (which was formerly located in the Ktunaxa Nation Council Government Building).
It connects people to a range of services through the Ktunaxa Nation Council and partners like Interior Health.
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 Addictions Support Workers, Social Workers, and Physiotherapists. Clients also have access to specialist providers, including an Internal Medicine Physician and a Psychiatrist.
The team will also provide outreach to help individuals and families navigate the health care system and connect with services.
The Ktunaxa Regional Health Centre has been supported through partnerships with the First Nations Health Authority, Interior Health, East Kootenay Primary Care Network, and with support from Indigenous Services Canada, Elk Valley Resources, Canfor, and other community collaborators.
Said Whitehead: “This is more than a facility—it is a commitment to our people and is a step forward in realizing our collective vision of ‘strong, healthy Ktunaxa citizens and communities.’”
