The SCHA was invited to celebrate the 60th year anniversary of the land gifting on which the Sechelt shíshalh Hospital now stands. We were honoured to partner with the Nation, VCH and the Hospital Foundation to support this event.
Drumming led the ceremony in front of the hospital along with a welcome by Chief Lenore Joe. Speeches and tales of the hospital’s past, beginning with the great need the people were facing on the Coast with the only hospital being in Pender Harbour and ending with a ‘Frank’ story from Frank Dixon about what the hospital has meant in the years it has been on the land. A beautiful commemorative blanket woven by Jessica Sylvie was presented in honour of the 60 year milestone, this blanket will be on display in the hospital.
We moved down to band hall where we were treated to hot lunch and lively presentation of drumming, singing and dancing by the shishalh youth. An open mic presented the opportunity for more heartfelt anecdotes about the hospital to be shared.