Richard Froese
South Peace News
A world-class addiction treatment centre has been planned as a partnership with the Metis Nation of Alberta and the provincial government.
Peace River MLA and Mental Health and Addiction Minister Dan Williams says the new centre new Metis Crossing south of Smoky Lake will help more people in their pursuit to recover, says a government news release dated Aug. 16.
“This partnership with the Metis Nation will provide life-saving addiction treatment to those in need and will rebuild families and communities that have been affected by this disease,” Williams says.
“Lives are changed by recovery and our government is proud to be helping people onto that path.
“Recovery is possible.”
Alberta has invested $35 million in the facility that will be known as the Healing Waters Recovery Community that will have 75 long-term treatment beds to support up to 300 people every year in their journey to recover.
The Metis Nation and the Alberta government have worked hard to select a site and design a building that reflects and honours Metis culture.
Construction is planned to be completed in 2026.
Metis Nation of Alberta president Andrea Sandmaier says the treatment centre will accommodate all cultures.
“Healing Waters will serve as beacon of hope for Metis citizens and Albertan who are recovering from substance abuse,” Sandmaier says.
“We are proud to be working with the Government of Alberta to bring this state-of-the-art facility to Metis Crossing and to provide a blend of western and traditional health care, with a Metis focus, that will support peoples’ recovery journeys.”
The centre will help curb the problems of substance abuse, says Kaila Mitchell, right, the secretary of mental health and addictions for the Metis Nation of Alberta.
“As a Metis-run recovery community, Healing Waters will provide recovery-oriented care to individuals grappling with substance abuse,” Mitchell says.
“The Otipemisiwak Metis government is proud to play a role in helping reduce barriers and provide culturally-appropriate options for our citizens and Albertans pursuing recovery.”
Indigenous Relations Minister Rick Wilson also says the new centre will provide a vital service.
“This investment shows our government’s commitment to work with Indigenous communities in providing culturally-safe addiction treatment,” Wilson says.
“I am excited for this to move forward and hear about how lives are changed.”
Clients at the treatment centre will access services at no cost and will have the opportunity to stay there for up to one year.
Healing Waters is one of 11 recovery communities the provincial government is building, five of which are in partnership with Indigenous communities.
A recovery community in Grande Prairie is in the planning and development phase, while one has already opened in Gunn.