Heiltsuk Nation and Vancouver Coastal Health to Rename Hospital in Bella Bella

Press Release

Nation is taking a step forward from its past in renaming its hospital after a Heiltsuk person, word or ceremony that reflects its values and practices.

Heiltsuk Nation and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) are renaming the R.W. Large Memorial Hospital, located in Bella Bella, Heiltsuk territory, in response to calls from the community for a name rooted in Heiltsuk culture and language.

The “R.W. Large Memorial” name will be replaced by a Heiltsuk name selected by the Haíɫzaqvḷa Revitalization Language Authority Board.

“We welcome VCH’s proactive support in making this name change, which is consistent with the cultural and linguistic reclamation and revitalization work of Indigenous nations around the world,” said Marilyn Slett, elected Chief of the Heiltsuk Nation. “We are taking a step forward from our past in renaming our hospital after a Heiltsuk person, word or ceremony that reflects our values and practices.”

The renaming process reaffirms VCH’s commitment to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Provincial Declaration of Commitment to Cultural Safety and Humility and In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in B.C. Health Care.

Renaming the hospital is part of the journey towards truth and reconciliation and deepens VCH’s commitment to providing culturally safe care.

ILR5