The renaming of the station to Station 229 qathet reflects a shared commitment of BCEHS and Tla’amin Nation to further cultural safety.

“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, and members of the Tla’amin Nation Legislative Assembly gathered for the renaming ceremony. 

Elder Randolph Timothy Sr. shared the opening blessing and Culture and Heritage manager kespal Drew Blaney shared the blessing of the floor song. Elder Randolph Timothy Sr. and Elder Cindy Pallen performed a cedar brushing ceremony to prepare the station to receive its new name, qathet. The Tla’amin Nation recognized BCEHS employees for their service to the community and shared the healing song. A new station sign was then unveiled. 

"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.

BCEHS is committed to eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and embedding cultural safety and humility across all areas of the organization. Grounded in Indigenous values, laws, and ways of knowing, this commitment is carried forward in partnership with the Indigenous Health Program, which works alongside First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples to ensure equitable access to emergency care and culturally relevant services.

BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) is responsible for the delivery and governance of pre-hospital emergency medical care and inter-facility patient transfer services through the BC Ambulance Service and BC Patient Transfer Services. BCEHS is supported by the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA). For more information, please visit www.bcehs.ca or follow us @BC_EHS.

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates selected specialty and province-wide health care services across BC, working with the five geographic health authorities to deliver province-wide solutions that improve the health of British Columbians. For more information, visit www.phsa.ca or follow us  @PHSAofBC.

-30-

For photos of the ceremony, please contact:
BCEHS Media Relations:
media@bcehs.ca
P: 604-660-6925