On April 16, 2025, BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) and the Tla'amin Nation celebrated the gifting of the name "qathet" (working together) to Station 229, formerly known as Station 229 Powell River.

"We are honoured to be gifted the name, qathet," says Leanne Heppell, executive vice president and chief ambulance officer, BCEHS.

"This is an important step in the process of reconciliation and creating a workplace and a patient care environment that is anti-racist, culturally safe and inclusive."

"First Responders show up during some of the hardest moments in our families' lives, so trust is paramount. The steps that BC Emergency Health Services is taking to increase cultural safety—such as cross-cultural training—are meaningful and are being heard and felt in our community. Removing the harmful name Powell from the ambulance station is yet another important step toward moving our relationship forward in a good way," says Tla'amin Nation hegus John Hackett.

At Station 229 qathet, BCEHS employees and senior leaders, members of the Tla'amin Nation Legislative Assembly, and other first responders gathered for the renaming ceremony.

During the ceremony the Tla'amin Nation recognized BCEHS employees for their service to the community. Elder Cyndi Pallen performed a traditional cleansing ceremony. She brushed Unit Chief Terry Dyer with cedar branches and also blanketed him to thank him and his crew for their dedication and service to the community.

Elder Randolph Timothy Sr, Elder Cyndi Pallen and their helpers also brushed BCEHS staff and inside the station before sharing a healing song.

Tla’amin Nation Elder Randoph Timothy Sr. brushes qathet station staff, including Community Paramedic Brian Bomprezzi pictured on the right.

"This renaming is not just an honour; it is a call to act in alignment with Indigenous values and teachings. I view this renaming as ʔiʔ t̓imɛxʷ, good medicine, for our station and community," says Sheree Haydu, BCEHS Clinical Operations Manager, Sunshine Coast.

qathet, which means working together, is the same gifted name now being used for the community's regional district, hospital and school district.

Speaking at the ceremony, Tla'amin Nation Legislator Callum Galligos said the renaming is about recognizing the past the choosing a different future.

Legislator Galligos said that the name Powell carries a painful legacy for many people in the region, especially Tla'amin families, because Israel Powell, who the town is named after, was an architect of residential schools.

"I am the first generation of my family who didn't attend residential school, this wasn't something that happened hundreds of years ago, I have personally felt the effects of residential school and still do to this day," he said. "By retiring that name, we take a small but meaningful step toward healing."

Legislator Galligos thanked BCEHS staff for bringing forward the idea and their work to make emergency services safer: "Cultural safety isn't a nice-to-have. It's essential to care."

The name change is a reflection of a new relationship, he said: "It's more than a label. It's a promise. A commitment to care, to respect, and to keep moving forward—together."

Legislator Galligos on the right brushing the station with the assistance of Pam Wilson from the Tla’amin Fire Department

Those who witnessed the ceremony were moved by the relationship-building event.

"It was a profoundly moving experience. I felt immense gratitude to witness Manager Sheree Haydu bring this three-year labour of love to reality. It was 'good medicine' for the qathet emergency medical responders, paramedics, and leaders," says Danny Jones, Clinical Operations Director - Vancouver Coastal North District.

"It was a privilege to be present for this powerful event that signifies an important opportunity to build a strong, collaborative and reciprocal relationship moving forward. The grace and care shown by Tla'amin Nation to gift our BCEHS unit the name of qathet is a true honour," says Dawn Tisdale, Interim Senior Director, Indigenous Health.

"It was such a beautiful day. The sun was shining, and we had an incredible turnout of support from BCEHS employees to the people of Tla'amin.  I felt honored to be a witness to this memorable and significant event," adds Sheri Fleming, BCEHS Indigenous Cultural Advisor.

Community Paramedic Brian Bomprezzi was happy to see his unit chief recognized for coming forward with the renaming idea, after the community's hospital changed its name.

For Brian, the renaming ceremony and cedar brushing was even more impactful after learning about the Tla'amin history, and hearing about the painful memories of Elders and facilitators, at a Cross Cultural training and a Blanket Exercise workshop organized by the Tla'amin Nation earlier in the month.

Blanket Exercise organized by the Tla’amin Nation. Community Paramedic Brian Bomprezzi is pictured on the top right.

"Just the fact that we've come so far from where we were to embracing the Tla'amin Nation and being gifted the name change and having them [Elders] here present [at the ambulance station]. It was a pretty phenomenal day."

Photos by Davis McKenzie, Danny Jones and Brian Bomprezzi