We call upon the federal government to provide sustainable funding for existing and new Aboriginal healing centres to address the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual harms caused by residential schools, and to ensure that the funding of healing centres in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories is a priority.
Why “In Progress?”
August 14, 2023 – Today, Vice President of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI), Paul Irngaut, Minister of Indigenous Services Patty Hajdu, and Nunavut Minister of Health John Main, turned tundra on the future site of Aqqusariaq as part of a ground-breaking (“tundra turning”) ceremony. Aqqusariaq is an $83.7 million treatment and recovery centre, with $42.1 million in funding from the Government of Canada and $41.6 million from the Government of Nunavut.
In addition, NTI provided $5 million towards the overall costs of the project and $11.8 million through the Makigiaqta Inuit Training Corporation to train Inuit counsellors. Indigenous Services Canada will also provide $9.7 million per year in annual funding towards the costs of operating the centre.
Beginning with Budget 2016 and through Budgets 2017 and 2018, the Federal government has committed over $350M to support various initiatives to address C2A # 21 including a focus on culturally sensitive healing services in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut:
- $47.5M over 5 years in Budget 2019 to support the construction and operations of the Nunavut Recovery Centre and $9.7 million ongoing in support of treatment centre operations.
- $6.5M since 2018-2019 for the construction of a new healing center – Isuarsivik Regional Recovery Center – in Kuujjuaq, Nunavik.
In addition the government has announced the following programs:
- The Federal Pathway to Address MMIWG+ People released in June 2021, outlines investments to be made in Indigenous-led community safety planning to improve the safety and well-being of Indigenous peoples, specifically, women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, including through the Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative
- The new Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative to develop more holistic community-based safety and wellness models.
- The Government of Canada will also conduct a review of resources at the Correctional Service of Canada healing lodge for Indigenous women with a view to identifying the capacity required to effectively address rehabilitation and intervention needs.
Current Status
In Progress
Call to Action
last updated
October 15, 2024
Latest Updates
Investments in Indigenous Healing Centres
Federal government invests $13M for Driftpile Cree Nation health and wellness facility
NationTalk: DCN-JOC News Services – DRIFTPILE CREE NATION, ALTA. – The Government of Canada is investing $13 million via Indigenous Services Canada toward construction of……
October 15, 2024
Investments in Indigenous Healing Centres
Addiction treatment centre with focus on cultural healing opens in North Battleford, Sask.
Battlefords Treatment Centre to be run by Alberta-based Poundmaker’s Lodge The Battlefords Treatment Centre in North Battleford, Sask., will officially open Sept. 3. (Submitted by Carla……
August 21, 2024
Investments in Indigenous Healing Centres
Montreal Lake Cree Nation Celebrates Health Facility Opening
NationTalk: Indigenous Services Canada – Today, Chief Joyce Naytowhow McLeod of the Montreal Lake Cree Nation, along with Council, Elders, community members, and representatives from……
July 10, 2024
Investments in Indigenous Healing Centres
The place where they heal us
How this Kanien’kehá:ka community asserted its sovereignty over health care The Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre completed a $28 million expansion and renovation in 2019.Steve Rompré/Radio-Canada……
June 10, 2024
Investments in Indigenous Healing Centres
Young people in East Kootenays benefit from more mental-health, addiction care
NationTalk: CRANBROOK – More young people struggling with mental-health and addictions challenges will benefit from a first-of-its-kind Foundry centre in Cranbrook. “Children and youth are……
May 23, 2024
Investments in Indigenous Healing Centres
New community building for Edmonton with federal investment of $21M
NationTalk: ReNew Canada – The downtown core in Edmonton will have an improved facility for an essential range of programs and services after a combined investment of……
May 7, 2024
Investments in Indigenous Healing Centres
Arctic Indigenous Wellness Foundation celebrating seven years
https://player.vimeo.com/video/929682949?badge=0&autopause=0&player_id=0&app_id=58479 APTN News: Healing can happen in the bush. So says the Arctic Indigenous Wellness Foundation of Yellowknife, which is celebrating seven years of operation. Its……
April 1, 2024
Investments in Indigenous Healing Centres
Ottawa invests $13M in Indigenous health centre set for east Hamilton
Health services within the new Biindigen Well-Being Centre will have ‘profound impact,’ says DAHC board chair Federal minister Filomena Tassi and Pat Mandy, former chair……
March 12, 2024
Investments in Indigenous Healing Centres
Indigenous-led detox and healing centre planned for Whitehorse
Letter of intent signed this week in Ottawa ‘an important first step,’ says Council of Yukon First Nations Participants at an Intergovernmental Forum in Ottawa……
December 6, 2023
Investments in Indigenous Healing Centres
Nunavut’s Health minister expresses optimism over Aqqusariaq treatment centre
The Aqqusariaq recovery centre in Iqaluit “will serve as a hub for Inuit-led treatment opportunities that are trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and closer to home,” says……
November 21, 2023