Ontario Funding Study to Expand Treatment Centre in Muskrat Dam First Nation

Province Supporting First Nation to Expand Culturally Appropriate Care

February 23, 2018

Ontario is funding a feasibility study to build a replacement facility for the Reverend Tommy Beardy Memorial Wee Che He Wayo-Gamik Family Treatment Centre in Muskrat Dam First Nation.

The centre provides people struggling with substance abuse with a unique treatment program to support and guide them. Entire families participate in the healing of the individual in treatment, with the help of councillors, daycare providers, tutors and youth workers. It focuses on family well-being, spirituality and traditional beliefs to create healthier relationships between parents in treatment and their children. This includes additional support as participants return to their communities. A new facility will allow the centre to increase capacity and expand programming.

Supporting culturally based services is one of many steps on Ontario’s journey of healing and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. It reflects the government’s commitment to work with Indigenous partners, creating a better future for everyone in the province.

Quick Facts

• Ontario is providing $60,000 to Muskrat Dam First Nation for a study to explore building a new facility for the Reverend Tommy Beardy Memorial Wee Che He Wayo-Gamik Family Treatment Centre.
• The centre offers a six-week family residential program, which runs six cycles per year.

Additional Resources

• Indigenous Economic Development Fund
• Indigenous Community Capital Grant Program
• Aboriginal Procurement Program

Quotes

“I visited the treatment centre last year and was impressed by its innovative family approach. This investment will help the centre explore the possibility of replacing its facility, which would expand health, healing and wellness services for Indigenous communities in the region. This is an important step in Ontario’s journey of reconciliation.”

David Zimmer
Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

“The opportunity to partner with Ontario on a very important initiative of rebuilding a nation through the Reverend Tommy Beardy Memorial Family Treatment Centre is a bold step in the spirit of reconciliation. It’s providing an avenue to facilitate change, thereby strengthening and empowering families within the Nishnawbe Aski Nation. Healing and reconnecting to the land is necessary and, with the help we are receiving, will guarantee success in this endeavour.”

William Kaminawas
Acting Executive Director, Reverend Tommy Beardy Memorial Wee Che He Wayo-Gamik Family Treatment Centre

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