With the opening of the Fireweed Mental Health Unit, Yukon Hospitals has taken the first step in reimagining the names of all inpatient units at Whitehorse General Hospital — a transformation rooted in reconciliation, healing, and traditional knowledge.
Fireweed, one of the first plants to bloom after wildfire, symbolizes resilience and renewal — a powerful metaphor for mental health recovery. It now also sets the tone for what’s to come.
This initiative is part of a broader vision to make our hospital spaces more supportive of healing. As part of our commitment to truth, reconciliation, decolonization, and Indigenization (TRDI), we are incorporating meaningful Yukon plants, Indigenous symbolism, and visual elements to create spaces that reflect the spirit of care offered.
A working group of staff and board members led this process, grounding their work in Indigenous values and worldviews. Each inpatient unit will now carry the name of a Yukon plant, selected for its traditional use and cultural significance, as well as its symbolic link to the type of care provided.
New Names for Inpatient Units at Whitehorse General Hospital:
| Unit | Plant | Colour | Symbolism & Traditional Use |
| Mental Health | Fireweed | Dark Purple | New growth and resilience |
| Intensive Care | Blue Bells | Blue | Healing, respiratory relief, strength |
| Medical | Dandelion | Yellow | Brightness, growth, strength – also used for blood pressure, nutrition |
| Surgical | Yarrow | Green | Pain control, healing, love |
| TC1 (Medical) | Golden Rod | Golden Orange | Strength, calm, protection – used in smudging |
| Maternity | Wild Rose | Light Pink | Pure love, hopefulness, blessings for childbirth |
| Future Expansion Medical Unit | Lupin | Teal | Associated with positive effects on diabetes, hypertension, and heart health |
This naming initiative reflects our broader commitment to creating inclusive, culturally safe spaces for all who enter our care. It’s more than a visual update — it’s a step toward embedding Indigenous ways of knowing into the everyday environment of our hospitals.
As these changes take shape, they will help patients and families feel more connected — to the land, to culture, and to care that recognizes the whole person. Over time, we will evolve these spaces to include Indigenous artwork and design features that honour the plant and the purpose of each unit.
Over the coming months, you’ll begin to see these new names and designs come to life throughout the hospital. These small signs of renewal mark the beginning of something bigger — a growing commitment to healing, belonging, and respect.