Without the vision of the Sechelt Indian Band (SIB) 47 years ago, it's doubtful that St. Mary's Hospital would occupy its current central location on the Sunshine Coast.
On Monday, Nov. 16, a reaffirmation ceremony at the hospital acknowledged the Band's foresight.
To mark the occasion, a spectacular sun god carved by Squamish Nation artist Matthew Carver was unveiled. When the current hospital expansion is complete, the carving will hang in the new lobby along with a plaque honouring the Band's contribution to health services on the Coast.
At the ceremony, SIB Chief Garry Feschuk joked that the $1 paid for the 11.2-acre (4.48-hectare) plot of land in 1962 was a legal requirement.
"We weren't asking for anything," he said.
The property the hospital is located on has special meaning for the chief. He remembered going with his grandpa to get firewood on the land. Because of the size of the trees, the job took many days.
"The [Sechelt] people were visionary in wanting a centrally-located hospital to benefit the citizens of the Sunshine Coast. The old hospital was in Garden Bay. That's where I was born," Feschuk said.
The primary reason the Band wanted the hospital relocated was maternity driven. Previously SIB women had to rely on taxis to get them to the hospital 48 kilometres away.
"The taxi driver would worry about the baby being born in the taxi," Feschuk related.
He contrasted that with a baby born the morning of the ceremony within walking distance of the mother's home.
Feschuk went on to state that the Band was reaffirming its relationship with Vancouver Coastal Health and the hospital. He cautioned that the relationship has to benefit everyone.
The Band elders were special guests for the occasion, and SIB member Andy Johnson led a group in an opening song and prayer to begin the ceremony.
Other dignitaries present included Mary Akenhusen, chief operating officer for Vancouver Coast Health (VCH); Brenda Langevin of VCH; Wesley Jeffries, SIB councillor (and uncle of the carver); Sechelt Mayor Darren Inkster; and Garry Nohr, Area B director on the Sunshine Coast Regional District board. Representing the hospital foundation were Maureen Clayton, Wendy Griffin and Ron Nelson.
Clayton also acknowledged the members of the hospital auxiliary who were on hand. One of the hardest working groups on the Sunshine Coast, the many branches of the auxiliary are responsible for several of the amenities in the hospital.
