Province funds Tilhqotin-led healing and wellness model

The Province of British Columbia has announced an $8. 3 million investment in a new Tŝilhqot’in-led healing and wellness model designed to support First Nations individuals dealing with substance-use challenges. This project, developed in partnership with Red Road Recovery, will provide culturally grounded recovery supports through a model that emphasizes Tŝilhqot’in culture and traditional healing practices. The initiative will include 10 beds for supportive recovery, 15 for treatment at the Tŝilhqot’in Healing and Wellness Centre, and 10 beds for after-care transitional housing. Services will be delivered at two Tŝilhqot’in-owned properties near Hanceville, facilitating access for the six Tŝilhqot’in Nation communities and other Indigenous Peoples.

Construction is expected to begin in September 2025, with the project anticipated to open in late fall 2025. The funding comes in response to the urgent need for recovery supports, as highlighted by the ongoing toxic-drug crisis affecting Indigenous communities. The Tŝilhqot’in Nation previously declared a state of local emergency in April 2024 due to the crisis's impacts. This investment reflects the Province’s commitment to enhancing mental health and substance-use care across British Columbia.