The Central Nanaimo Urgent and Primary Care Centre (CNUPCC) provides quality, compassionate care to Nanaimo patients, and it also offers something both novel and thoughtful – a separate entrance for patients who, for various reasons, require discreet access to the centre.
Shelley Birchard, manager of the CNUPCC, explains how the Thunderbird Wing offers a more discretionary pathway for patients accessing the service, including those who may have experienced sexual assault and require the care of a forensic nurse examiner.
“The Thunderbird Wing is for anyone who requires a level of discreet care,” she said. “The development of the area was informed by members of the Snuneymuxw First Nation and other Indigenous partners to ensure that everyone who visits the clinic feels welcomed and supported.”
Teltitelwet is a registered nurse at the Snuneymuxw Health Centre who collaborated with Island Health in the development of the CNUPCC. She recognized the need to incorporate cultural safety into the design for community members who have suffered trauma and also felt it important to create a space where respecting personal dignity was a key consideration.
"The Thunderbird Wing of the Central Nanaimo UPCC was born from a relationship built on respect and truth. It stands as a living act of reconciliation—shaped by deep consultation with First Nation voices, it offers sacred space for the most vulnerable,” Teltitelwet said.
“Here, clients do not enter under the weight of judgment, but through a door of privacy, dignity and care. No longer made to walk through the eyes of the community, they are met with quiet strength, cultural safety and the healing power of being truly seen.”
The Thunderbird Wing was named after Teltitelwet shared the story of the legendary Thunderbird, which signifies power and strength in Snuneymuxw culture.
“I was always taught that the Thunderbird also represents diversity, dignity and personal integrity,” she said. “I’m mindful of respecting someone’s dignity when they have experienced trauma and suffering, and the separate entrance to the Thunderbird Wing provides space where people don’t have to feel like their trauma is on display.”
“Whether our patients access the Thunderbird Wing, or enter through the front door, they can expect a strong element of humanity, respect and culturally safe, trauma-informed, patient-centred care,” added Birchard.
Indigenous engagement in the planning of the UPCC has not been exclusive to the design of the Thunderbird Wing. As patients pass the time in the waiting room, they can also watch three videos playing on a continuous loop – a welcome video hosted by a Snuneymuxw First Nation elder, another that explains the story of the mythical Thunderbird, and an interview with renowned First Nations artist, Noel Brown, who provided several pieces of Indigenous art for the UPCC, including a stunning cedar carving near the front entrance.
The site has also been gifted a traditional name in the Hul'q'umi'num' language, Huĺíteẃtxw (House of Healing).