Actions and Commitments

Call to Action # 35 : Justice (25-42)

Aboriginal Healing Lodges

October 22, 2012

In 2009-2010, Correction Services Canada (CSC) allocated $21,555,037 for CSC lodges and $4,819,479 for section 81 lodges. This discrepancy in funding meant that Section 81 lodges had to pay their employees up to 50% less and may be unable to provide adequate training. According to the Office of the Correctional Investigator, the original intent was for CSC lodges to eventually be transferred to the control of Aboriginal communities. There is also “the perception among some Section 81 Healing Lodge staff and CSC officials that CSC-operated Healing Lodges are in competition with Section 81 Healing Lodges for minimum security inmates.”

Indigenous Managed Healing LodgesLocationOpenedBeds
Prince Albert Grand Council Spiritual Healing LodgeWahpeton First Nation, Saskatchewan199712
Stan Daniels Healing Centre, EdmontonEdmonton, Alberta199973
Waseskun Healing CentreSt. Alphonse-Rodriguez, PQ199922
O-chi-chak-ko-sipi Healing LodgeCrane River, Manitoba200328
Buffalo Sage Healing LodgeEdmonton, Alberta201128
Thunder Women Healing LodgeScarborough, Ontario201924

There are now 10 Healing Lodges in Canada offering 437 beds: 6 co-managed by an indigenous community and 4 run exclusively by CSC. Buffalo Sage Wellness House, Okimaw Ochi Healing Lodge and the new Thunder Women Healing Lodge are for women.

CSC Managed Healing LodgesLocationOpenedBeds
Okimaw Ohci Healing LodgeMaple Creek, Saskatchewan199560
Pê Sâkâstêw CentreMaskwacis, Alberta199760
Kwìkwèxwelhp Healing VillageHarrison Mills, BC200150
Willow Cree Healing CentreDuck Lake, Saskatchewan200480
Eagle Women’s LodgeWinnipeg, Manitoba201930