SAULT STE MARIE – Health – Ontario is providing nearly $750,000 to support a new healing lodge to serve First Nations communities who are located from Sudbury to Sault Ste. Marie. Located in the Garden River First Nation outside of Sault Ste. Marie, the new healing lodge is a partnership between Dan Pine Healing Lodge and the N’Mninoeyaa Community Health Access Centre’s Traditional Health and Healing Program.
“The new Dan Pine Healing Lodge is an important addition to the Garden River First Nation and will play a vital role in helping the community get the care and services they need close to home. As part of our journey of reconciliation we are committed to improving health outcomes for Indigenous people through collaboration,” said David Zimmer, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.
The new facility will host both residential and non-residential programs and focus on three priority areas:
- Providing accessible health and healing programs that incorporate traditional and contemporary methods to build a culture of violence-free, healthy relationships among individuals, families and communities
- Building community capacity to support ongoing sustainable, community-based family violence and healing programming for all North Shore communities
- Strengthening collaboration and networks among Indigenous and non-Indigenous service providers.
The province’s investment in the Dan Pine Healing Lodge is one of many steps on Ontario’s journey of healing and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
Quick Facts
- The Dan Pine Healing Lodge will provide culturally appropriate programs and services as part of the government’s investment of $47 million in the Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy (AHWS).
- Under AHWS, Indigenous partners and service providers manage and create culturally appropriate solutions to improve health and healing, and prevent family violence in their communities. The Strategy serves approximately 55,000 people every year.
- Since its creation in 1994, AHWS programs have created approximately 600 jobs and 460 community-based health and healing projects across the province on and off reserve.
In 2014, Ontario announced an increased investment of approximately $10 million in AHWS to help improve the quality of life for Indigenous people by increasing access to services such as crisis intervention; counseling; supports for women, children and families at risk; and health and family violence awareness and education.
In partnership with Indigenous communities and the federal government, Ontario will establish up to six new or expanded Indigenous Mental Health & Addictions Treatment and Healing Centres. The centres will provide care using a combination of traditional healing and clinical care.
“This new healing lodge will improve access to culturally appropriate services and provide front-line workers with the training and experience they require to provide these important programs. This investment will help expand the reach of services to a growing Indigenous population,” stated Dr. Helena Jaczek, Minister of Community and Social Services.
