April 29,2024 marked 30 years of CSFS offering cultural healing programs at the Ormond Lake facility in Nadleh Whu’ten territory. Today, CSFS Addictions Recovery Program (ARP) continues to offer vital services to help address unique experiences and issues that Indigenous people face in their addiction recovery journey. 

The program runs seasonal services from May to October under the guidance of clinical counsellors and cultural knowledge holders who incorporate a blend of Indigenous and western healing methods. ARP aims to create a healing environment by utilizing a holistic approach that promotes a cultural lifestyle free from addictions and restores a sense of pride in Carrier and Sekani culture.

Ormond Lake facility has allowed CSFS to serve communities with great success, even though ARP services at the lake until now were offered on a seasonal basis. As the toxic drug crisis in BC continues to worsen – especially for Indigenous populations, the need for a year-round healing facility has only become more urgent. 

As per FNHA’s Toxic Drug Reports, Indigenous people in BC account for 3% of the population but recorded 17.7% of toxic drug deaths in the first 6 months of 2023. Since the Province declared a public health emergency in 2016, toxic drug poisoning has taken the lives of 2,091 First Nations people.

Through interactions with the ARP, clients have identified that the loss of traditions and weakening of cultural identity is a main factor behind their addictions. This is a strong reason for our need to transition to an all-year-round healing facility, in this case Tachick Lake Healing Centre. This sentiment follows the vision that was shared by our Nations’ Elders held at the birth of CSFS.

“There is a need to provide holistic therapeutic tools that don’t just focus on withdrawal management.” shares Mary Hannah, Addictions Recovery Programs (ARP) Manager.

"This means providing support that addresses addictions from an intergenerational lens that helps clients connect to tradition and the land. It’s important for everyone involved to participate, pay attention, and build capacity for people in the Nations we serve.”

Tachick Lake Healing Centre will help us realize our vision of year-round on-the-ground services. As we look to step into the new centre, we acknowledge and thank the community and leadership of Nadleh Whut’en for their commitment in allowing us to provide our seasonal treatment services on their territory. 

If you need to access to CSFS addictions recovery services or more information on this subject including programs offered, contact: Renee John at arp@csfs.org.