On behalf of: Site Manager, Lady Minto Hospital
On October 30, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate a meaningful milestone: the one-year anniversary of the opening of the Emergency Department at Lady Minto Hospital. The event brought together hospital staff, Lady Minto Foundation members and donors, and community members to reflect on the past year and honour the continued commitment to providing high-quality emergency care to the Salt Spring Island community and continued commitment to truth and reconciliation.
A highlight of the celebration were the words of Rose Laden from the Sylix Okanagan Nation who generously gifted a ceremonial drum to the hospital. The drum holds profound significance—it was passed down to Rose from her mother a survivor of the Kamloops residential school. Rose's generous gift was a powerful gesture of reflection, renewal, and connection.
The ceremony was both beautiful and heartfelt, reminding all in attendance of the importance of community, resilience, and the shared journey toward reconciliation and compassionate care. The drum will serve as a lasting symbol of strength and unity within the hospital and the broader Salt Spring Island community.