​A cold winter wind blew through the Éyameth' Health Centre even as sunlight bathed a crowd that was electric with excitement, gathered to celebrate the long-awaited opening of the new facility.

Éyameth' (pronounced ay-em-eth) means weaving health together in the Halq'eméylem language. The centre, which officially opened Jan. 23 in Agassiz, is the result of the collaborative vision of Sts'ailes and the Éyameth' Health Society. The opening ceremony welcomed community members and leaders to honour the vision, good work and relationships that made Éyameth' a reality.

Chief Chad Paul, Ches kin xen Siyam of Sts'ailes, opened the ceremony by expressing gratitude for all the people whose hard work “laid the foundation" for the new health centre. ​

Chief Chad Paul

“A lot of work went into making this happen. There's a lot of work physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, that made this happen to where we're at today - and all of those people, you know who you are - you're part of that vision, you're part of that vision forever."

Angela Paul, Qwenot, Executive Director of Éyameth' also spoke as part of the ceremony. She recalled as a teenager hearing her father speak about restoring health and wellness. Standing in the completed centre, she described the moment as the realization of her father's vision - one rooted in “restoring ways of wellness, knowledge systems that keep us well, whole and healthy."

Angela Paul

“Without health, I just think, what are we, what do we have if we don't have our health, if we don't have our health and wellness, what do we have? And we saw our dancers come out here, that's a big part of health, this reconnecting to who we are.  No matter where we come from, we have to reconnect who we are to where we come from and whatever that is that make us whole, and so this space is representing that."

Elder Virginia Peters, “Auntie Ginny", Siyamex, was blanketed in recognition for her involvement in early conversations about the centre. As someone who spoke with Angela's father about this vision, she described her involvement humbly, as one of the “many hands" that touched the work along the way.

Auntie Ginny

“This is a dream come true you know, we were working on this for so many years, I was wondering if I was ever going to still be here when it came to fruition and that really filled my heart today to know that I'm here, that I can witness what's going on, and everybody else that's working within this kind of setting is taking the place of some of them are passed but are putting them in the present and going stronger into the future.

After speaking about the history of Éyameth', speakers also acknowledged the future. Willie Charlie, Chasta, spoke about guiding and teaching young people who will “inherit the building and the vision moving forward." Babies born in 2025 were also blanketed, becoming living markers for the building, an honour they can carry with them their whole lives. 

First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) Chief Operating Officer Greg Shea said that Éyameth' is now open to service the health care needs of all people in the North Fraser Region, not only Sts'ailes community members.

“I am honored to come into this space with each of you.  What we are seeing here today is a demonstration of all the hard work and good decisions that were made.  Éyameth has shown us what can happen when we work as one - weaving things together, bringing all our talents, resources and best thinking forward - this place and space is a vision of hope and healing."

As part of the FNHA's First Nations Primary Care Initiative, Éyameth' is built on First Nations perspectives and knowledge systems to provide wholistic, culturally safe primary health care. For more information on services and hours, please visit eyameth.com.