For Helen Henderson, life is all about connections. As kukpi7 (chief) of the Canim Lake Band near 100 Mile House, she searches out connection to the land, to her band members and to her past. Earlier this year at Royal Inland Hospital (RIH) in Kamloops, several connections came together in one emotional ceremony for Helen, one of five Secwepemc kukpi7s who attended a sacred smudging ceremony at the construction site for the RIH Patient Care Tower. It was her sister who was top-of-mind. Helen and her sister Catherine were both born at RIH. Their mother travelled from the 100 Mile House area to give birth by caesarean section. After struggling for years with health and substance use issues, her sister passed away at RIH in 2011 due to complications from pneumonia. “It’s bittersweet every time I go to Tk’emlups (Kamloops) because I have memories of my sister,” says Helen. “As hard as losing her was, it was almost like we were coming full circle in her journey. She was born on the fourth floor at RIH and she passed away on the sixth floor. I take comfort in the fact that that’s where her journey started and that’s where it ended. So as tough as it is to be in Tk’emlups, it also connects me with her.” The smudging was performed in a private ceremony on a late afternoon day in October. A Secwepemc elder and knowledge-keeper performed the smudge while two drummers followed along, the sounds of a Secwepemc honour song echoing throughout the construction site. Helen and her fellow chiefs bowed their heads in silent prayer. For her, the connection she feels is at the heart of the Secwepemc people. “When I talk about connection and being connected to my sister, I’m also talking about the connection to our ancestors,” she says. “It’s only through that connection that we are able to carry on and build strength in relationships. I know our mindset may be on a different level, but at the root of our mindset is the health and well-being and healing of all people. With the Secwepemc, that’s who we are: To be able to generate healing for everyone, not just for our own people. That’s why it’s so special to be able to bless a new build with a ceremony like this.” Smudging is a traditional ceremony that involves the burning of sacred herbs as part of a ritual, for cleansing or health purposes. Secwepemc traditional wellness coordinator David Archie performed at the RIH smudging as a drummer and singer. “The smudge carries our prayers, grief and loss and hands it over to the Creator and our ancestors to take care of in a good way,” explains David. “This ceremony was held to honour the ancestors of the Secwepemc people and was also a blessing for the construction crews, medical staff and patients so they will be protected and watched over while on site.” As the drumming, singing and smudging came to an end, the chiefs, along with those in attendance, said a prayer and left behind a traditional offering of tobacco, known as a sacred medicine in Aboriginal culture. Canim Lake kukpi7 (chief) Helen Henderson (middle) was joined by other Secwepemc Nation kukpi7s at a smudging event held at the Royal Inland Hospital Patient Care Tower in Kamloops. Also pictured (from left) are kukpi7 Patrick Harry (Stswecem’ Xgat’tem First Nation, Canoe Creek), kukpi7 Willie Sellars (T’exelc, Williams Lake Band), kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir (Tk’emlups te Secwepemc) and kukpi7 Sheri Sellars (Xatsull, Soda Creek First Nation).Helen says she was honoured to be invited to the smudging and be received by Tk’emlups Kukpi7 Roseanne Casimr on the ancestral lands of the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc. Kukpi7s were also in attendance from Xatsull, Soda Creek First Nation; T’exelc, Williams Lake Band; and the Stswecem’ Xgat’tem First Nation, Canoe Creek. For Helen, being able to connect the construction project to the Secwepemc culture was a special moment. “I know that being able to practise our culture through the smudging can only bring health,” she says. “It can only bring good things. When you start a new build, or a new relationship, it’s based on ceremony and it’s based on our culture and because of that it provides support to the building and to the structure. It also pays respect to the ancestors we pay homage to on a daily basis.  “It is only through building our relationships with Interior Health and with other organizations that we are even able to start talking about reconciliation and what that would even look like. Doing things like this is a really good step in the right direction.”

Gina* is a tall, pretty young woman. Her hands, like much of her arms, are covered in ink. Her long hair is a shock of dreadlocks and her voice is not much louder than a whisper. But she is articulate and self-possessed and when she speaks, you lean in and listen. Today she is speaking about her health troubles, her drug addiction, and how the injectable opioid agonist treatment clinic, or iOAT, has helped. “The first month was really tough,” she says. There is a hint of pride in her voice. She has been attending the clinic regularly since it opened in April 2019. “I’ve had people stop me and ask me what I’m doing differently, because I’m looking good. People at the shelter where I’m living think I work there. They think I’m a staff person,” she says. She goes on to describe her volunteer work in the community. It’s clear that she enjoys helping others. “Our injectable patients are really making dramatic recoveries, even though it’s early days,” says Dr. Megan Hill who runs the iOAT clinic. “We have had remarkable retention in the program since it started.” The retention of clients is impressive because iOAT is a major commitment for people who typically have little stability in their lives. Clients need to attend three appointments each and every day to receive their medication. It is an obligation that they find worthwhile in order to receive medicine via injection in a safe, sanitary environment. The program can mean an end to the panic and chaos of street drug dependence. “You get tired of the constant hustling and theft. The lies. That’s not who you are,” explains John*. “I don’t do that anymore. Best decision of my life.” John has also been attending the iOAT clinic since it opened. He admits he is addicted to needles – not uncommon with severe opioid addiction – but he is also deeply concerned about the street drug supply, what is in the drugs, and how it’s impacting his health. The iOAT clinic, he says, is a “10 out of 10” compared to other treatments he has tried. “I’ve been to detox …” he pauses as if to count. “More times than I could even say,” he concludes. Dr. Hill recalls one patient who told her ‘you guys care so much about my health that I decided I should too, and now I'm getting better.’ Another patient said, ‘I didn't think things could be good, but now they're starting to be good and I can address more problems than just my addiction.’ “Both have horrifying medical issues that have been completely unaddressed until now and it's hard to believe they've been living with them for so long,” says Dr. Hill. The medication injected is called Hydromorphone. It is an opioid commonly used to treat moderate to severe acute pain. It helps with cravings for illicit opioids and prevents overdoses, as well as preventing debilitating opioid withdrawal, which is usually the reason people continue to use fentanyl or heroin. The clinic also provides a regular connection with a health-care team, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and social program officers, which can help with overall stabilization. For now John continues to take it a day at a time, spreading the word about the clinic and putting on weight. “Because I’m living the good life,” he says, patting his stomach with a smile. *Patient names changed to protect privacy

It's being called ground-breaking work. A small and mighty team of Interior Health physicians and nurse practitioners are going above and beyond in supporting some of the region’s most vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The devoted group are supporting people who are impacted by the poisoned drug supply crisis and have to isolate due to a positive COVID-19 test, by meeting them where they are. An initiative led by the Mental Health and Substance Use Network brought together the group of health-care professionals who are providing coverage seven days a week to ensure people across the region have access to prescribed safer supply when needing to isolate. “It is clear by the increasing death rates across the province that the drug supply has become even more toxic,” says Corinne Dolman, Interior Health's Manager of Substance Use Services. “This service is imperative not only to ensure people are able to isolate and reduce the transmission of COVID-19 but also to prevent high risk withdrawal from substances.” The program has already worked with people in Vernon, Penticton, Trail, Kamloops and other parts of the region who may be at increased risk of overdose, withdrawal, cravings and other harms related to substance use. “This vulnerable population has suffered increased isolation and stigma throughout the pandemic. The hard work and efforts to provide prescribed safer supply and other treatment medications has truly made all the difference. We have been able to reach this at-risk group and create connections for ongoing support that many did not have before,” says Pam Ruby, Interior Health’s Regional Pandemic Health Coordinator. The program will continue until December 31, 2021. “This is an innovative strategy that allows the vulnerable population to isolate with the added benefit of connecting the clients to addictions and harm reduction services across the entire region. This reduces barriers to care allowing the vulnerable population access to this much needed service. This is a ground-breaking innovation,” said Brent Hobbs, MHSU Network Director for Pandemic Isolation Centres.