Southern Stl’atl’imx Health Society has been delivering culturally appropriate, shared health services to the people of N’Quatqua, Samahquam, Skatin, and Xa’xtsa (Douglas First Nation) for almost 25 years. Founded to create greater access to health services for these isolated communities, SSHS honours its commitment to the people by ensuring that its services incorporate land-based healing and traditional wellness. Traditional Healers, Spiritual Leaders, and Knowledge Keepers play key roles in all of SSHS’s seven programming sectors and administration.
SSHS team members travel from our office in Mount Currie, BC into the communities, often driving along a Forest Service Road for more than two hours or being helicoptered in. This ensures that SSHS members—from newborns to Elders—have access to the health and wellness supports at their health stations, or health space, in their home communities.
Our Vision
Stl’atl’imx-enhanced holistic health services.
Our Mission
Weaving traditional wellness into our health services.
Our Programs & Administration
Through its programs and services, SSHS meets the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health needs of the people of N’Quatqua, Samahquam, Skatin and Xa’xtsa.
Our Philosophy
The SSHS’s philosophy is illustrated in its vision and service delivery model. We believe unequivocally that only N’Quatqua, Skatin, Samahquam and Xa’xtsa can address their members’ wellbeing in a framework that reflects Stl’atl’imx culture, tradition, and values.
Our Service Model
The SSHS uses a service model established by the First Nations Health Authority demonstrating the medicine wheel’s four elements of health and wellness: physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional wellbeing. The SSHS ensures that its service delivery model supports the whole person in culturally appropriate ways and considers the land, family, community, and nation.
The SSHS supports self-determination in all matters pertaining of First Nations health. We are committed to designing and delivering community-based programs that also respect local autonomy and control.
Governance
SSHS is governed by an eight-member Board of Directors that works with the Interim Health Director to ensure the organization meets the goals determined in its strategic plan. Each of the four communities that SSHS serves appoints two directors to the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors
N'Quatqua Representatives
Doris Peters
Board Chair
doris.peters@nquatqua.ca
Nicole Patrick
Board Member
nicole.patrick@nquatqua.ca
Samahquam Representatives
Dustin French
Board Vice-Chair
dustin.french@samahquam.ca
Eppa (Gerard Peters)
Board Member
gerard.peters@sshs.ca
Skatin Representatives
Rex Grant
Board Member
rex@tyheefinancial.ca
Xavier Williams
Board Treasurer
xaviersrdw@gmail.com
Xa'xtsa Representatives
Colin Linger
Board Member
colin.linger@xaxtsa.ca
Andrianna Peters
Board Secretary
andrianna.peters@xaxtsa.ca
Staff Contacts
SSHS staff can be reached by email or by contacting reception at 604-894-0151
Eppa (Gerard Peters)
Interim Health Director
gerard.peters@sshs.ca
Julia Schneider
Executive Assistant to the Health Director & Patient Travel Coordinator (including after hours)
julia.schneider@sshs.ca
Alana Desorcy
Sexual Assault Regional Coordinator Útszan ti Smáwal̓a Sexual Response Program
alana.desorcy@sshs.ca
Amanda Munnings
Jordan's Principle Service Coordinator
amanda.munnings@sshs.ca
Nicki (Nichelle) Paul
Family Preservation & Reunification Worker
nicki.paul@sshs.ca
Sally Peters
Front Desk/Administration Assistant
sally.peters@sshs.ca
Anita Samuels
Physiotherapist/Interim Health Lead
anita.samuels@sshs.ca
Justin Thevarge
Fleet Manager and Carpenter
justin.thevarge@sshs.ca
Jesokah Peart
ECD Coordinator
jesokah.peart@sshs.ca
Brett Peterson
Mental Wellness Lead
brandnewtrail@gmail.com
Our Partners
SSHS is able to deliver its services through valued partnerships with the following organizations.
