The B.C. government announced that the new Cowichan hospital will carry a Hul’q’umi’num’ and English dual name celebrating the deep cultural and linguistic heritage of the Quw’utsun Peoples and their connection to the land.

The new name will be Quw’utsun Valley Hospital/Quw’utsun Hulitun-ew’t-hw.

“This project represents a meaningful step toward reconciliation with Indigenous communities,” said Minister of Infrastructure Ma. “The gift of the new name is part of ongoing work in the building of the new hospital to incorporate Indigenous perspectives, and ensure our critical infrastructure remains culturally safe and inclusive for generations to come.”

Hul’q’umi’num’ is the language of the Quw’utsun Peoples, on whose territory the hospital is being built. The Hul’q’umi’num’ name, Quw’utsun Hulitun-ew’t-hw (pronounced Cow-ut-sun Ha-lee-tun-awt-wh), means Cowichan place of giving life, and honours the land, language and holistic healing traditions of the Quw’utsun Peoples. This name will be paired with the English name Quw’utsun Valley Hospital.

“Quw’utsun” describes the act of warming one’s back from a heat source and is based on the story of a frog warming its back by the sun after a historic flood. Hulitun-ew’t-hw means “place of giving life.” Elders chose this name to reflect the warmth and care that hospital staff provide to patients and each other.

The Hul’q’umi’num’ name and permission to use the language was gifted to the new hospital by the Cowichan Tribes S-ul’hween Language Committee through a collaborative process led by the Hul’q’umi’num’ and Snuw’uy’lh Advisory, working in partnership with the hospital replacement project alliance, with a shared goal to improve First Nation, Métis and Inuit health-care experiences.

Construction of the 204-bed hospital is 75 per cent complete and on track for completion in 2026. It will open for patients in 2027.