Blood Tribe Housing Holds Farewell Ceremony for Old Blood Indian Hospital
Write-up by Blood Tribe Communications Officer Henry Heavyshield
On October 24, 2025, Blood Tribe Housing Department hosted a ceremony in Moses Lake, AB., to mark the start of demolition preparations for the former Blood Indian Hospital and the adjacent Women’s Shelter.
An opening prayer was offered by elder Dale Low Horn Sr., and the event included representatives from Blood Tribe Chief and Council Clarence Black Water, Kyla Crow, Maria Russell, and Marcel Weasel Head. Former employees and delegates from Blood Tribe Department of Health, Women’s Shelter, Blood Tribe Housing employees, and family and community members from Moses Lake were also in attendance.
Officials had deemed the two structures unfit for occupancy and that controlled demolition and site reclamation work would proceed under the authority of the Blood Tribe Housing Department.
Cody Wells, Director of Blood Tribe Housing, spoke on the need for the community to say ‘kiitaakiitaamatsiin’ to the building and its history in a good way.
“Before we begin the demolition, we want to take a moment to honour that history and offer prayers of healing and renewal,” said Wells.
Built by the Department of Indian Affairs in the early 20th century, the Blood Indian Hospital served the community for decades. Originally constructed as part of federal efforts to control infectious disease, the hospital later functioned as a general care facility for members of the Blood Tribe.
The building is remembered by many community members for both the care it provided and the complicated history of Indian hospitals across Canada.
“This building, for many of our people, may hold difficult memories. Reminders of hardship and times when our voices were not always heard or respected. Yet even through those hardships our people endured, our elders, families, and community members carried strength, resilience, and hope. And it’s because of them that we stand here today, moving forward with purpose,” said Wells.
The work will include environmental safety measures and follow local regulations for demolition and potential hazardous material handling.
Community members expressed a range of emotions at the ceremony. On the one hand there was acknowledgement of the practical need to remove the buildings that are no longer safe, while at the same time reflecting on the layers of memory and history attached to the site. Former staff in attendance recalled colleagues and patients who worked and received care at the hospital. Representatives from Blood Tribe Department of Health and the Women’s Shelter spoke briefly on the potential plans for future use of the site.
“When we first moved out, it was like we lost our home, and we had nowhere to go. But we thank Housing for helping us move out of there. And now we really look forward to the new building that’s going to help our women, and the children stay together as a family,” said Doris Low Horn, representing the Women’s Shelter.
Councillor Clarence Black Water spoke on the vision leadership has for the future.
“Moving forward is what we want to do for our tribe. Everything positive we can bring to the reserve is kiistoowan, it’s going to benefit each and every one of you,” said Black Water.
The former Blood Indian Hospital is one of several Indigenous hospitals in Canada whose histories are intertwined with federal health policies of the 20th century. For many families, those histories include stories of removal, isolation for tuberculosis treatment, and strained relations with federal health authorities.
At the same time, the hospital building stood as a site of care for generations of Blood Tribe community members. It was where our family members worked and where they served our community. It is also where our loved ones received compassionate care based on Niitsitapi values.
“This ceremony represents a step forward to reclaim our space, our story, and our future. As we close this chapter, we look toward creating something new. Something that will serve our people with care, dignity, and pride,” said Wells.
“As we move forward, may this moment remind us of our strength as a nation. That even when we face painful history, we have the power to rebuild, to heal, and to create a better future for our community,” added Wells.
