Hospital in Bella Bella Given New, Heiltsuk, Erasing Old Name’s Ties to Discriminatory Policies

A hospital in Bella Bella has been given a new, Heiltsuk name, to honour the Nation whose territory it calls home.

From now on, the facility formerly known as RW Large Memorial hospital, will carry the name ƛúxválásu’ailas Heiltsuk Hospital.

It means a place for sick people in Haíɫzaqvḷa, with the change intended to improve cultural safety for those the hospital serves.

Originally named after the physician who ran the hospital in 1898, the name became synonymous with policies which targeted Indigenous women.

Vancouver Coastal Health took over the hospital in 2014, and discussions on a name change with the Heiltsuk Nation began in 2018.