North Fraser communities celebrate grand opening of Éyameth’ Health Centre

Press Release

Jan. 23, 2026

Summary

• First Nations led primary care centre offering integrated, culturally safe health and wellness services
• Located on the shared territories of the Sq’ewlets and Sts’ailes Nations in Harrison Mills
• Serving Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities north of the Fraser River, from Agassiz to Mission

People, families and Elders can now access inclusive, holistic health care with the opening of the Éyameth’ Health Centre on the shared territories of the Sq’ewlets and Sts’ailes Nations in Harrison Mills.

Éyameth’ (pronounced ay-em-eth) means “weaving health together” in the Halq’eméylem language. The centre is the result of the collaborative vision of the Sts’ailes Nation and the Éyameth’ Health Society. The opening ceremony marks the latest milestone in the journey to bring health and wellness services closer to home for people living in the North Fraser region.

“We are happy to celebrate decades of collective work in community and with health partners to bring the Éyameth’ Health Centre to life,” said Angela Paul, executive director, Éyameth’ Health Centre. “Éyameth is a Sts’ailes-led, society-operated primary care clinic and centre of excellence, delivering transformative health-care services to the whole North Fraser community. Weaving together the best of contemporary medicines with holistic health care, Éyameth’ will address gaps by providing innovative, quality, patient-centred health and wellness services to individuals and families in the region.”

Integrated services under one roof

Clients can access a wide range of integrated services, including primary care, maternal health, Elder care, mental health and addictions support, traditional wellness and healing, diabetes and chronic disease management, allied and social service support and an on-site pharmacy.

“Our vision at the FNHA is to support healthy, self-determining and vibrant First Nations children, families and communities in B.C.,” said Monica McAlduff, CEO, First Nations Health Authority (FNHA). “Éyameth’ is the first First Nations-led primary care centre to open in the Fraser Salish Region and one of 15 centres being opened or underway across the province as part of the First Nations Primary Care Initiative. Developed through the guidance of First Nations communities and with the support of health-system partners and municipalities in B.C., these centres represent an important step forward on our shared journey towards a culturally safe and sustainable health-care system that meets the needs of First Nations in B.C.”

Serving communities north of the Fraser

The newly constructed Éyameth’ Health Centre, at 46048 Lougheed Hwy. in Harrison Mills, will serve Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and communities north of the Fraser River between Agassiz and Mission. Once fully operational, it’s expected to attach approximately 1,400 patients to a primary care provider.

“The opening of the Éyameth’ Health Centre marks an important step in expanding First Nations-led primary care that’s open to all Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in the North Fraser Region,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “By bringing primary care, social services and Indigenous ways of knowing under one roof, the centre will improve access to culturally safe, person-first care and support the health and wellness of people, families and Elders, close to home.”

Approximately seven full-time equivalent (FTE) staff have been hired at the Éyameth’ Health Centre and are available to provide primary care and traditional health services. As hiring progresses people in the region will be cared for by more than 14 FTE health-care providers, including:

• 1.0 FTE family physicians
• 1.0 FTE nurse practitioners
• 1.61 FTE registered nurses
• 1.15 FTE licensed practical nurses
• 2.0 FTE clinical counsellors
• 0.6 FTE physiotherapists
• 0.6 FTE dietitians
• 0.6 FTE nutritionists
• 1.5 FTE social navigators
• 1.6 FTE Traditional Healers
• 1.0 FTE Elders

The clinical team is supported by several non-clinical roles, including a clinic manager and medical office assistants.

Strengthening care through partnership and progress

The centre is funded through a partnership between the FNHA and the Ministry of Health. As part of the First Nations Primary Care Initiative (FNPCI), the centre is one of three First Nations primary care centres that will support communities in the Fraser Salish region.

This announcement follows the openings of the following FNPCI sites:

• Lu’ma Medical Centre in Vancouver in October 2019
• All Nations Healing House in Williams Lake in October 2022
• Northern Nations Wellness Centre in Chetwynd in October 2024
• Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations Primary Care Centre in November 2024
• es zúmin’ Primary Care Centre in February 2025
• ʔuukʷinkpanač West Coast Primary Care Initiative in May 2025
• Coast Salish in April 2025, Wilp D’mootxw – Nec’a Yikh (The Healing House) in September 2025
• Fraser South Wellness Centre in September 2025
• Fraser West in November 2025

Quick Facts:

• The centre is being implemented through four phases over the course of four years.
• The first phase began in 2023, with initial hiring and select services delivered from a temporary location at the Sts’ailes Administration Building at 4690 Salish Way in Agassiz, while the permanent facility was under construction.
• Éyameth’ Health Centre is part of the First Nations-led Primary Health Care Initiative, which aims to develop up to 15 First Nations led primary health care centres in rural centres and urban locations across B.C.

Learn More:

• To learn more about Éyameth’ Health Centre, visit: https://eyameth.com/
• To learn more about recruitment, interested applicants can find positions listed here: https://workwithus.fnha.ca/
• To learn more about the First Nations Primary Care Initiative: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewlfkzCR55s

A backgrounder follows.

Contacts:

Ministry of Health
Media Relations
250-952-1887
First Nations Health Authority
Media Relations
media@fnha.ca
778-984-5962

Angela Paul
Executive Director
Éyameth’ Health Centre
angela.paul@stsailes.com

BACKGROUNDER

What people are saying about the new First Nations led primary care centre

Sherylynn Crispin, board chair, Éyameth’ Health Society –

“Éyameth’ encompasses weaving wellness together. We are reclaiming our roles and responsibilities as caretakers for all the people and lands in our territory. This is why Éyameth’ is for all peoples. Our work is Indigenous-led, guided by the teachings of wellness as a shared responsibility. When we recognize that something belongs to all of us, we understand our obligation to care for it together. Each culture brings strengths to this work of wellness, and the teachings of this territory show us how to weave these gifts into practices that serve everyone. Éyameth’ Health Society maintains a high standard of care grounded in this reciprocal responsibility. It is time to weave our ways together and discover how well we can become alongside each other.”

Debra Toporowski, parliamentary secretary for rural health –

“The Éyameth’ Health Centre plays a vital role in strengthening rural health by bringing care closer to home. It reflects a deep commitment to community, cultural connection, and continuity of care, ensuring that people in the North Fraser region feel supported, respected and confident in accessing the health services they need.”

Stephanie Higginson, parliamentary secretary for primary care access –

“The new First Nations led primary care centre improves access for patients in the North Fraser region and creates a welcoming, trusted place where they can receive timely, comprehensive services. By reducing barriers and focusing on relationships, the centre helps ensure individuals and families can access consistent, high-quality care that supports their long-term health and well-being.”

Contacts:
Ministry of Health
Media Relations
250-952-1887
First Nations Health Authority
Media Relations
media@fnha.ca
778-984-5962

Angela Paul
Executive Director
Éyameth’ Health Centre
angela.paul@stsailes.com

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