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Location and Access The Hazeltons are located in Northern British Columbia and named after the hazel bushes that are found along the river-carved terraces within the majestic setting dominated by the 6500 foot walls of the rugged Roche de Boule Range. People live in a number of native and non-native communities, on ranches and homesteads that are scattered over a wide region and include communities from Moricetown to Cedarvale as well as Old Hazelton, New Hazelton, South Hazelton, Two Mile, Susqua Valley, Kispiox Valley, Kitwanga, Hagwilget, Gitsequukla, Gitwangak, Gitanyow, Kispiox, Glen Vowell and Gitanmaax. The next closest ‘neighbouring ‘ communities are Smithers and Terrace. Smithers to the east is 150 km return by road travel, Terrace to the west is 290 km return while Vancouver in the south is 2400 km by return. History and Ecomony For centuries, the Hazelton area has been home to the Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en people living in their extensive traditional territories. The region is renowned for its ancient culture and traditions, its totems and the famous ‘Ksan Aboriginal Cultural Centre. Major pioneering efforts in land claims settlements have originated in the Hazeltons, most recently in the landmark ‘Delgamuuk vs. the Queen’ decision by the Supreme Court of Canada. The unequalled wilderness setting has made the Hazeltons the Historic Heartland of Northwest BC as bustling pioneer communities developed near the confluence of the Skeena and Bulkley Rivers following contact in the mid 19th century. ‘Old Hazelton’s restored heritage buildings serve as a reminder of the days when Hazelton was the commercial centre of the Northwest. Around 1890, the community was the upriver terminus for a fleet of sternwheelers that plied the wild rapids of the Skeena. People and supplies were transported to Hazelton and from there to mines, farms and far-flung settlements. To this day the Hazeltons maintain a friendly pioneer atmosphere that makes it easy to imagine the sound of riverboat whistles that would signal the arrival of supplies, settlers, and long nights of revelry. In 1914, a transcontinental rail line was constructed along the Skeena Valley with hundreds of construction workers and homesteaders in its wake. With the anticipated boom from the railroad, New Hazelton and South Hazelton were established. Forestry and fishing have always been major contributors to the local economy along with ranching and tourism as well as some past small mining operations. With recent government cutbacks and the softwood lumber dispute with the USA, local unemployment unfortunately have reached new highs. Population Profile The catchment area has a population of more than 7,000 people, two thirds of whom are of aboriginal descent. This includes the entire Gitxsan nation along with the western reaches of the Wet’suwet’en people. During summer months the population swells considerably because of tourism and the many available outdoor activities. Recreation Opportunities in the Hazeltons to discover the many riches of life in rural B.C. are many, such as fishing, hiking the alpine meadows and glaciers, white water rafting, canoeing, golfing, or attending local events like rodeo, music festivals or community gatherings. In the winter there are skiing, skating and hockey as well as participation in Community Choir and Community Concert Band. Services Services include various stores, restaurants, movie theatre, service stations, library, museum, bank and dental services. Churches in the community include Anglican, Roman Catholic, Salvation Army, United Church, Pentecostal, Seventh Day Adventist, Christian & Missionary Alliance and Community Gospel Chapel. Health Services Health care has a unique and proud history in the Hazeltons, which along with Bella Bella and Port Simpson pioneered modern medicine in NorthWestern British Columbia through its United Church mission hospitals from the close of the 19th century. The Wrinch Memorial Hospital along with the attached outpatient family practice and dental clinics are still operated under the auspices of the United Church Health Services. The hospital is fully accredited and affiliated with the University of British Columbia as well as the Northern Health Authority. Ten of its thirty beds are dedicated to acute care. Public health, pharmacy, OT, physiotherapy, diabetic teaching, radiology, ultrasound and laboratory services are all available within the facility. On active medical staff are seven family physicians and two dentists. Visiting physicians include general surgery, ENT, psychiatry, urology, and rheumatology. Local physicians provide a full range of outpatient services, inpatient services, obstetrics including C-Sections, anaesthesia and 24-hour emergency services. As well medical staff are active in community outreach activities. Medical records are fully computerized. Ambulance services are located on the hospital grounds. Over the years, Hazelton has been a model for Family Practice with its salaried, holistic and group practice philosophy. As such it has had impact on Family Medicine throughout Canada. Physicians from Hazelton such as Dr. Don Butt, Dr. Don Watt and most recently Dr. Peter Newbery have all served as presidents of the College of Family Physicians of Canada.During 2003 Dr. Peter Newbery was awarded the Order of Canada in recognition of his leadership for health and medical care in rural and remote communities in Canada. Medical Staff are also active in international health endeavours such as WONCA (World Organization of Family Doctors), Family and Community Medicine in China and with the University of Northern BC. Teaching has a time-honoured tradition at Hazelton commencing with the Nursing School that was established locally in the first part of the last century. Medical students, nursing students, other students and Family Practice residents rotate regularly through the facility. Over the years a number have returned to become permanent members of staff. Teaching, experiential training, seminars, teleconferences, video-review and trainee evaluation are actively practiced skills. Several staff physicians are involved in the annual College of Family Physicians’ Certification Exams. During the past decade, the CHAC (Community Health Advisory Committee) was established with an enthusiastic and varied membership from many parts of the community, such as the Ministry of Children and Family development, schools, churches, Gitxsan Health Services, Wet’suwet’en Health Services, CHRs, physicians, nurses, Food Bank and Provincial Public Health. The CHAC provides a broad based and interdisciplinary approach to the community and has undertaken significant outreach projects such as the ongoing and comprehensive “Starting Smart” pregnancy outreach program, parenting programs and lifestyle programs. In turn these programs have provided opportunity for trainees to be exposed to primary preventive and community interdisciplinary activities. At Hazelton students have their own workspace, complete with computers and access to the internet. An up-to-date library is on site along with teaching files for topics such as radiology and dermatology. Because of the long distances to outlying communities, medical staff make weekly clinic visits to the Gitxsan communities of Kitsegukla, Kitwanga and Gitanyow for which they are often accompanied by trainees at various levels. Close collaboration exists with the various public health services, ie. the provincial public health, the Gitxsan Health services and the Wet’suwet’en Health services, as well as with home care, hospice society and other community services such as counselling, A&D workers, village CHRs (Community Health Representatives) and social services. |
