First-of-its-kind First Nations healing centre breaks ground

POUCE COUPE, B.C. – The new North Wind Wellness Centre (NWWC), located in Pouce Coupe at 5213 Hospital Rd., has broken ground in a first for Canada.

The centre will have 55 spaces and will integrate First Nations healing practices with clinical care to support people at all stages of recovery, states a release.

The NWWC will provide five detox beds, 10 addiction treatment beds, 40 self-contained supportive housing units and the Junction, a recovery-based community centre that will serve as a resource hub for those in treatment.

Designed with input from local First Nations and featuring culturally significant design elements, the new 35,000-square-foot centre will provide trauma-informed, culturally safe care to people 19 and older, the release adds.

“Too many people in rural and Indigenous communities face barriers to accessing appropriate addiction care,” said Amna Shah, parliamentary secretary for mental health and addictions, in a statement. “By building a centre that blends traditional Indigenous wellness with clinical supports, we are helping people heal in a place that feels like home, close to culture, community and care.”

The project is a partnership between the province, the First Nations Health Authority, Northern Health, BC Housing, the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the North Wind Wellness Centre Society. It also received support from the Treaty 8 Tribal Association, the Peace River Regional District and the Village of Pouce Coupe.