Building respectful relationships with Ktunaxa Nation

Interior Health engages on Dr. F.W. Green Memorial Home rebuild project

Interior Health’s (IH) redevelopment of the Dr. F.W. Green Memorial Home in Cranbrook is moving forward with input from Ktunaxa Elders and potential business opportunities for Ktunaxa-owned companies.

On May 6 and 7, 2025, project partners visited ʔamakʔis Ktunaxa (Ktunaxa Territory) to discuss the design and delivery of the new long-term care facility.

The visit included a stop at the Ktunaxa-owned Nupqu Native Plant Nursery, where the team discussed incorporating native species and culturally significant plants into the new facility’s landscaping.

The group also met with the Ktunaxa Nation Council’s Economic and Investment Sector and a number of Ktunaxa-owned businesses to talk about subcontracting, employment, and supply-chain opportunities related to the project.

“Meeting with us and acknowledging our ideas and concerns— it’s part of building a stronger and more respectful relationship,” said Diane Whitehead, IH Collaborative Health Coordinator and a member of ʔaq̓am First Nation.

Ktunaxa Nation and IH entered a partnership in an official capacity back in 2009 with the signing of the first Letter of Understanding (LOU). The LOU forms the foundation for collaborative efforts to enhance health and wellness outcomes for Ktunaxa individuals, families and communities. Working in partnership to create culturally safer care spaces supports initiatives outlined in the LOU.

Bird Construction, the general contractor for the project, emphasized its commitment to working with local suppliers and contractors, including those owned by Ktunaxa Nation members.

“Supporting Nation-owned businesses and procurement opportunities for projects taking place in their traditional territories contributes to economic inclusion, which we are all responsible for upholding,” said Becca Britton, Indigenous Engagement Lead with Interior Health.

On the second day, the Interior Health and Zeidler Architecture teams met with the Ktunaxa Traditional Knowledge and Language Advisory Committee.

Nine Elders representing all four Ktunaxa communities in Canada reviewed current design plans for the new care home, which include Ktunaxa language, themes from the Creation Story, and spaces for traditional wellness practices.

The committee will continue to provide input as the design develops further.

“The Elders appreciated being involved from the beginning and emphasized that if their input and the Ktunaxa language are being included in the building, there’s a responsibility to learn how to pronounce the words properly,” said Vickie Thomas, Director of the Traditional Knowledge and Language Sector at Ktunaxa Nation Council. “Our language is an isolate with very few fluent speakers left, so, as it’s going to be used, we appreciate the shared commitment to becoming partners in revitalization. That could mean different things like pronunciation guides, training for staff, and tools like QR codes so people can hear and learn the words.”

“Their teachings will improve experiences for all who live here and receive care,” said Britton. “As an organization, we value the Nation’s guidance as we continue to learn from their expertise.”

Jared Basil from the Ktunaxa Nation’s Social Investment Sector has played a key role in ensuring that Ktunaxa representation is included in a meaningful way throughout the planning process.

“Projects like this allows for the braiding together of Indigenous ways of knowing and doing, and Western education, medicine, and science,” Basil said. “It also allows Nations to demonstrate competency and capacity by ensuring cross sectoral supports are utilized, which translates to meaningful engagement and equitable distribution of opportunities derived within ɁamakɁis Ktunaxa.”

At the end of the visit, Interior Health presented the Elders with tobacco and blankets, in keeping with Ktunaxa protocols for requesting guidance and offering respect.

The Dr. F.W. Green Memorial Home is a publicly funded long-term care home. The current 60-bed facility will be replaced with a five-storey building at the same location (1700 4th St. South), expanding capacity to 150 beds, including three hospice beds.

Construction is expected to begin in summer/fall 2025.

Learn more at: https://engageih.ca/fwg-replacement

The F.W. Green Project Team (Interior Health, Zeidler Architecture, Bird Construction, Ktunaxa Nation) at Ktunaxa Nation Council on day one of engagement with Ktunaxa Nation Council Economic and Investment Sector.