LIL’WAT NATION TERRITORY - Community members, Elders, leaders, and health partners participated in a special ground-breaking ceremony on Lil’wat Nation’s beautiful ancestral lands at Black Bear Road to mark a new Health and Healing Centre in Xet’olacw Village today.

The new 730 square metre health centre increases capacity by 20 percent and accommodates Lil’wat Nation's growing demand for health and healing programs/services. Lil’wat Nation’s population has grown 30 percent since 1998, when the existing health and healing centre was built.

"The First Nations Health Authority is pleased to support the creation of this new health and healing centre in Lil’wat Nations, Xet’olacw Village" said FNHA Chief Operating Officer Richard Jock. "Community-designed health and wellness centres are important vehicles to our vision of Healthy, Self-determining and Vibrant BC First Nations Children, Families and Communities."

FNHA is pleased to partner with the community in this exciting venture.  Looking ahead, the current Health and Healing Centre presents many opportunities for Lil’wat Nation’s decision makers.

“FNHA team is extremely humbled to be standing with the Lil’wat family in this traditional and cultural wellness event,” said Naomi Williams, FNHA’s Acting Regional Director for Vancouver Coastal Region. “As we forge ahead in partnership together for the health and wellness of our communities, our presence demonstrates the way we work together: in the ceremony, together as one, bridging the past while looking into the future.”

The First Nations Health Authority contributed $368,000 towards this project. Construction is anticipated to be completed in 2021.

Media Contacts:

Chief Dean Nelson, Lil'wat Nation


Cultural knowledge keepers at the opening


Witnesses to the ground breaking ceremony