Dr. Raymond Obomsawin has been terminated as the executive director of Tla’Amin (Sliammon) Community Health Services, effective Thursday, January 26.
This marks the second termination of an executive director of the community health services in less than a year. Obomsawin moved to the Powell River region from Ottawa to take the position in November 2011.
In a statement to the Peak, Obomsawin wrote he was dismissed with no severance pay for reasons that he does not agree with. He did not reveal specifics in the statement but said he would be staying to work with the Tla’Amin Community Health Service Board and leadership to “resolve this matter in a positive way.” He said he will not be taking legal recourse at this time.
“I do not share the opinion of certain members of the board about my performance,” wrote Obomsawin. “Additionally, I do not hold any personal animosity toward those who took this unwarranted action against me. I would like to extend my appreciation to the Tla’Amin community at all levels for their strong expressions of support and encouragement in recent days, and for welcoming me so warmly.”
The Tla’Amin health board fired Hugh Prichard in May 2011 for reasons undisclosed to the Peak. Prior to Prichard’s termination a protest by members of the community had been held outside the community health building calling for his resignation.
In an interview with the Peak from December 13, 2011, Obomsawin spoke of his desires to focus on health first and to minimize political issues that surround the organizations.
“It should be an apolitical entity, it should be simply a service, non-profit organization doing its job, without immersing itself in community politics,” said Obomsawin. “It’s a very difficult process to keep politics out of the organization. But I’m working on it.”
Health board chair Louise Dominick could not be reached for comment. Tla’Amin chief and council gathered on Friday, January 27 for an in-camera meeting to discuss the situation. Chief Clint Williams could not be reached for comment.
