“Nah Zul Deez T’iah”, ‘Your spirit is precious’
The Tachick Lake Healing Centre will provide medical detox, and a residential treatment program that uses both cultural and western treatment modalities.
Over the past year, workers have been preparing the site for the future home of the Carrier Sekani Family Services (CSFS) Tachick Lake Healing Centre. On June 12th, 2023, CSFS held a ground-breaking ceremony to commemorate the start of construction for the long-overdue treatment and healing centre.
5 structures will provide year-round residential treatment, offering immediate access to medical detox programs for up to 10 individuals, as well as a residential treatment program for up to 36 individuals.
The Addictions Recovery Services began as a community initiative in Cheslatta before relocating Ormond Lake in 1993. The Ormond Lake facility is located off a logging road 14 kilometers from Nadleh Whut’en. There, for 30 years – CSFS has served and supported community members only seasonally without plumbing and in very basic cabins.
CSFS continues to advocate for improved services in northern BC , and breaking ground for this facility is monumental and three decades in the making.. More recently, the opioid crisis impacting Indigenous population, heightens the urgency and need for the construction and operation of this healing centre.
The service design is a great example of the integration of Tradition and Western treatment strategies, which is reflective of our Addiction Recovery program's vision statement: ‘Culture is healing.’ Built on the belief that Indigenous culture and spiritual way of living, honours and respects all creations.
Land-based healing is the foundation for all programs. This is a practice of using culture on traditional lands to promote wellness and healing. For this reason, programs based on the land are integral to our residential treatment centre and our community healing activities.
After the construction completion, our new holistic Healing/Treatment Centre will greatly increase supports to those dealing with addiction, including many of the people currently suffering on the streets and in their homes across BC. Our combined cultural and western treatment modalities will heighten the success of treatment and aftercare programs. Our clinical services already approach care from client centered, evidence-based best practice – and a year-round residential facility will greatly bolster this ongoing work.
In addition to the medical detox facilities, other structures will include a greenhouse, gardens, smoke houses, outdoor kitchen and workshop areas to use as multipurpose space for activities such as carving or yoga.
The construction of the Healing Centre is scheduled for completion in Winter 2024.
CSFS will welcome staff and clients for services starting in Spring 2025. We have already initiated the hiring of trained staff, including physicians, nurses, allied support staff, cultural support staff, and various positions needed to operate the new facility. Anyone interested in positions currently open and those upcoming should bookmark our careers page at www.practicedifferently.ca
Client intake for addictions recovery programming at the Tachick Lake Healing Centre will be based on contracts held by CSFS, and will prioritize First Nations clients to start, which aligns with the disproportionate impact on First Nations populations in BC. This model may change over time. This model may change over time.
CSFS wishes to thank the gracious funders who supported the development of this crucial resource: the Government of Canada, the First Nations Health Authority, and the Province of British Columbia.
Building a detox and healing centre on Saik’uz territory, the Tachick Lake Healing Centre, represents a significant step in increasing harm reduction supports in our primary care teams.
> How can I help? How can I donate
You can help by donating to the centre using this secured link
> I need help in my (or my loved one’s) efforts at recovery – how can I get in touch with CSFS?
You can find more information on the CSFS Addictions Recovery Program. You can also contact us directly at our Vanderhoof Office:
Telephone: 250-567-2900
Fax: 250-567-2975
Email: arp@csfs.org
> Why is this facility currently focused on Indigenous people?
More recently, the alarming opioid crisis impacting Indigenous population have made for even more urgent need for this facility as Indigenous people continue to witness the devastating effects of the toxic drug supply at a higher rate than other British Columbians.
Last modified: Monday 15-Apr-24 11:43:59 PDT
CSFS gratefully acknowledges Noeleen McQuary, the artisan who created the traditional Carrier baskets used in the CSFS branding on this webpage, and in other print and online media.
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