Territory of the Kitasoo Xai'Xais Nation, Klemtu, British Columbia – The Kitasoo Xai'Xais Nation (KXN) celebrated the completion of a new heliport and the rebuilding of the Nursing Station in their community with Ceremony and a community gathering today. The Ceremony marked the latest milestone of the journey to bring health services closer to home in Klemtu.
The First Nations Health Authority (FNHA), Helicopters Without Borders (HWB), Colliers, and Spur Construction worked in partnership to restore health services, enhance service delivery and emergency infrastructure for the Central Coast community. The new heliport and rebuilt nursing station projects were successfully completed concurrently; each receiving distinct support and funding from the FNHA and health system partners. This collaborative effort ensured both facilities were upgraded to better serve the community's needs.
Heliport entrance
“The heliport creates exciting opportunities for improved travel and health services for Kitasoo Xai'Xais," says Tiffany Mason, Community Health Director, Kitasoo Xai'Xais Nation. “I hope that between my Nation, First Nations Health Authority, Helicopters Without Borders and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCHA) we can begin to fill gaps of various health services for KXN. The alignment of the vision and mission statements of FNHA, VCHA and HWB gives me hope that we could work together towards better health outcomes with improved service delivery because of this new heliport."
Prior to the construction of the heliport, only marine emergency evacuations or daylight helicopter evacuations were possible. Given Kitasoo's remote location and lack of emergency evacuation infrastructure, the community was a high priority for infrastructure investment.
“The Klemtu heliport is the first FNHA-funded project of its kind," says Greg Shea, FNHA Vice-President, Health Infrastructure and Development. “Our team is assessing, identifying and advancing heliport projects in over 20 communities across BC. We are humbled to have worked with our partners and the Nation to address emergency infrastructure gaps in the Region."
Since August 2022, the FNHA has:
- Assessed locations for consideration of heliports in over 20 CommunitiesSupported one renovation to an existing Heliport
- Funded one new Heliport construction (Klemtu)
- Identified 13 interim Heliport locations
- Supported construction of two interim Heliport sites
- Advanced ten Landing Plates for Interim sites for acceptance by air ambulance providers
- Deployed radios and turbo flares into ten communities to use for safe helicopter landings
This project is still underway with more assessments, interim locations, landing plates and equipment deployments planned.
A flood in December 2022 forced the closure and rebuilding of the nursing station; the reopening of the remote healthcare centre will restore culturally-safe and accessible healthcare in Klemtu.
FNHA supported the emergency closure by renovating a nurse residence into a treatment room and providing temporary trailers to minimize the disruption to health services in the community. Today, the rebuilt centre is 5500 sq. ft and offers two medical treatment rooms, an ambulance bay, nursing and dental offices, a dental treatment room, pharmacy, and a traditional wellness room on site.
“I raise my hands in gratitude to community leaders who led the way in navigating the crisis after the flood and for allowing the FNHA to walk in partnership with you throughout this journey," says Kim Brooks, Vice-President, Regional Operations (VPRO), Vancouver Coastal Region. “Our regional team is committed to providing wrap-around support to community and to enhancing health services in the Vancouver Coastal Region."
The Gitdisdzu/Xai'xais Nursing Station is staffed by a community health nurse. The station provides primary care services for urgent and emergent conditions. The nurse also promotes health and wellness by delivering maternal/child health programs, immunizations and disease and illness prevention programs.
Quick Facts:
- There are 14 communities, three sub-regional families and a large number of urban and
away-from-home populations located in Vancouver Coastal Region, each with their own unique cultures, traditions and geography.
- The Territory of the Kitasoo Xai'Xais Nation includes the east side of Swindle Island on BC's Central Coast (about 500 km north of Vancouver), in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest.
- There are approximately 517 Band members, 319 of whom live on reserve. The village is served by two grocery stores, a post office, cafe, community sports facility, a Big House, and a health clinic.
- Two distinct tribal organizations live in the town of Xłmduulxk (Klemtu): the Gitdisdzu Nation (Tsimshian), originally from Kitasu Bay, and the Xai'Xais Nation of Kynoc Inlet. The Gitdisdzu/Xai'xais People are the only permanent residents within the Territories of this First Nation, and they are members of the 'Wuìkinuxv-Gitdisdzu-Nuxalk Tribal Council.
Kitasoo Xai'Xais website: https://klemtu.com/
Media contact:
Savannah Minoose, Communications Generalist Savannah.Minoose@fnha.ca or 1-778-984-5962
