New wellness centre in Fort St. James brings Indigenous healing practices

The Dadzi Wellness Centre in Fort St. James is a new First Nations Primary Care Centre that combines Western clinical care with Dakelh healing practices. The centre is currently offering limited services while officials say it will soon be ready and expand services once fully operating.

Dadzi Wellness Centre is a new First Nations Primary Care Centre in Fort St. James that will serve nearby First Nations communities. It is part of the First Nations-led Primary Care Initiative and combines Western clinical practices with Dakelh healing knowledge. The facility is designed to feel warm and community-rooted, with local art and Dakelh-language room names. Officials say it will soon be ready and that services will expand once fully operating. Key details: - The Dadzi Wellness Centre is a First Nations Primary Care Centre (FNPCC) intended to serve Fort St. James and surrounding First Nations communities. - The centre combines Western clinical services with First Nations knowledge and Dakelh cultural practices under the FNPCI framework. - Interior design and room names reflect Dakelh language and culture; the centre's loon logo is described as a symbol of a traditional healer in Dakelh teachings. - Planned offerings include regular clinical care alongside language classes, traditional practices, physiotherapy, and dietitian-led sessions. - Staff will take into account broader factors such as medical and family history, addictions, and work when discussing care; the centre is currently offering limited services and an email contact is listed as DadziWellness@fnha.ca. Summary: The Dadzi Wellness Centre is intended to provide holistic, culturally rooted care and to make the clinic setting more welcoming for First Nations patients. Officials say it will soon be ready and that services will expand once fully operating. Currently the centre is offering limited services and an email contact is listed for information.