Health

Splatsin Health Department
Phone Number: (250) 838-9538 | Fax Number: (250) 838-9548



Janice Willier, Director

Tansi! My name is Janice Willier (Kihiw Esquao – Cree for ‘ Eagle Woman’) and I am from Sucker Creek First Nation in northern Alberta. I am a mother of two boys and moved to the area in April 2010. I am enjoying the opportunity to work for your community as the Director of Health Services.

I have several years of experience in working in the Health Services field, and was the Health Director for my own Nation for the past 7 years. I have also worked for other agencies including a non-profit society in Edmonton and Non-Insured Health Benefits Medical Transportation. I am also working on completing my 4th year of my degree in Health Administration through Athabasca University.

I am looking forward to providing good quality health service delivery for Splatsin and I would like to invite any community members to stop by at our new Health Centre for a chat and discuss any issues or ideas about health services and how they can be delivered in the community. – Thank you.


Maxine Levely,  Assistant

I am Apetu Waste Win (Beautiful Day Woman) from Sioux Village, Manitoba. I am of the Santee Dakota Nation. I lived with my family until I was 6 years old, when I was taken away to residential school for 11 years.

I worked in Whitehorse Yukon for many years for Indian and Northern Affairs as Employment and Training Counsellor. I enjoyed my stay in a northern BC community assisting two doctors in a new medical centre and hospital setting.

I have been working for the Splatsin Band for the last 9 years as Health Services Assistant. Please come and use the services that the new health facility is offering. Our new building will bring a bright future.



Patricia Bell, Community Health Nurse

I am honoured to be the Home Care Nurse for Splatsin Health Services.  My husband and I have lived in this community for over 10 years.  I have been humbled by the welcome given to me by Elders whose homes I visit as part of my work.  My job is to provide services and support for people in their homes.  In this way they can stay healthy and independent within their own homes in their own community.

Part of my role is to assign personal care to the Home Support Worker, Adeline Simpson.  I complete assessments and determine what services and care each person needs.  This may be bathing or mobility assistance, but it may also be equipment, or other services, such as shopping or meal preparation.  In my role I also communicate with doctors, community nurses, therapists and hospitals in order that we are all working together.

Home Care is a program that varies each day – I might be on the telephone in my office organizing appointments or equipment for people or doing reports. I might be spending my day in people’s homes doing nursing care, teaching, or performing treatments.  Overall the goal is to work with other family members to insure that each person can remain as healthy as possible at home.

I believe in treating people with respect, dignity and kindness.  The Health Centre will allow us to work with everyone in a way that meets their needs.  We are planning Foot Care clinics, Diabetic education seminars, and a Bathing program.  We are open to your suggestions and requests.  Please attend the many activities, which are and will happen at the Health Centre.

We are here to serve you.



Kelvin Fehr, A & D Councilor

Hello, my name is Kelvin Fehr. I am the Alcohol & Drug Worker for the Band. I have been here for three years and have been fortunate to meet many of you.

I have worked in the substance abuse field since 2001. My prior experience includes working briefly at Round Lake as well as a First Nations Treatment Centre in Calgary, Alberta. Over the years I have developed and implemented recovery programs, supervised University students who were specializing in Addictions and assisted the United Nations Drug Control Program in developing ‘Best Practices’ for working with Indigenous Youth.

My formal training includes degrees in Sociology, Psychology, Social Work and a Masters in Hypnosis. The most important training however, has come from simply working in the field.

Substance misuse has been, and continues to be, a critical issue facing this community and many others. While there have been many success stories a lot of work remains to be done.

I welcome the opportunity to continue working with each of you and invite you to give me call or come in for a coffee.



Leslie Fournier, Community Health Nurse

I am a member of the Pinaymootang Saulteaux First Nation at Fairford, Manitoba.  I have been nursing for 33 years and first started working for Health Canada (Medical Services Branch as it was known then) in 1984. Since then I’ve travelled all over the north, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and even the Northwest Territories.

Then after a short stay with MSB in Kamloops, I spent the last thirteen years on the Blood Reserve in southern Alberta as a Home Care Nurse, Community Health Nurse and eventually, Director of Nursing.

I bring a lot of experience to this position as Community Health Nurse at Splatsin.  I have two grown sons and two granddaughters. My parents have lived in Enderby for the past twenty years and I’m happy to be living close to them again.



Adeline Simpson, Personal Care Attendant

I have been in the Shuswap area for 20+ years. I have been in the healthcare field for 15 or so years, having worked as a Care aide as well as a Recreational Director. Prior to this career move I worked as a Chef for many years.

I have just returned from taking a foot care course and look forward to using these skills in the very near future. I feel truly honored to be part of such an awesome healthcare team here at Splatsin.

I have 2 grown children and am expecting my first grandchild in the new year. In my spare time I enjoy garage sales and antique hunting.

Looking forward to getting to know everyone and being part of this community.



Dorothy Lee, Health Driver

I was born and raised in Enderby.  I have two sons and two daughters along with two grandsons, seven granddaughters.

I worked with the Health Department 6-7 years the first time and then took a year off.  Came back to work with Health again.

I’ve been here 2 years.  My job is Medical Transportation.

Eryca Willinger, Community Wellness Worker

The two questions that guide my daily work is “what is community?” and “how do we define health and wellness? “. I believe that cooperation and relationships are the bridge to understanding who we are as a community, and our individual roles within it. During my 12 years of professional social service work, I have seen what can be accomplished when people work together as equals and strive to communicate with each other in ways that promote understanding and kindness. “Wellness” refers not only to our physical health, but also to our emotional, mental and spiritual well-being. All 4 quadrants must be addressed in order to achieve a balanced state of wellness. Parallel to my professional work, I have been studying natural and energetic health systems for several years, including herbology and homeopathic medicine. It is my viewpoint that sustainable solutions for healthy communities are those that are grounded in respect for each other (social) and respect for Nature (ecology). When I am not at work at your Health Centre, I can be found at home on Raven Toft Farm chopping firewood, digging in the garden or playing my guitar – “back to the land” is my personal solution for wellness. Thank you for inviting me to be a part of your Health team and community, and I hope to be of useful service during my time here.