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 Canadian
Medical Association Journal
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Located an hour north of Vancouver, Squamish is an outdoor paradise — a mecca for hikers, mountain bikers, wind surfers and especially rock climbers. The granite here makes for the best climbing in Canada. (I can literally climb from our backyard — this photo was taken about 50 m from our house.) There is a strong First Nations presence here, and native carvings and prints decorate my office. Once, 2 young native men were involved in a serious car accident. Both required emergency surgery, and they recovered completely. In gratitude for the role I played, their families invited my family to a traditional thanksgiving feast. Held in a cedar longhouse, the meal included bannock baked on a stick over coals and steamed salmon. After the food, the elders led the group in drumming and chanting, and told stories of the origins of the salmon people (Coast Salish, Squamish Nation). It was an excellent opportunity for us to experience some of the cultural diversity inherent in our vast country. — Robert Patterson, general surgeon, Squamish, BC
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