A new $19.87-million facility in the Cowichan Valley dedicated to enhanced mental-health and addictions services for First Nation members will soon open.
Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, and other partners who participated in the planning and construction of the Tsow-Tun Le Lem Society Healing House were on hand for a tour of the newly completed building, located on Cowichan Tribes’ land, on Nov. 27.
Tsow-Tun Le Lum, which means “helping house” in the Hul’q’umi’num’ language, offers 20 treatment beds and living units to support people who have experienced addiction, trauma or grief.
Programs and services at the healing house, which is expected to officially open in January, are based on First Nations’ concepts of holistic wellness and are culturally based and informed.
“First Nations are in the best position to determine what services are right for their communities,” said Whiteside after the tour of the facility and meetings with First Nation stakeholders.
“We are supporting the delivery of Indigenous-led services, promoting autonomy and equitable access to life-saving services, taking the lead from community partners and working in partnership with the First Nations Health Authority and the Government of Canada.”
The Tsow-Tun Le Lum Healing House is the first of eight such treatment centres that are planned to be completed in the province.
It was funded through a partnership between the province, the federal government and First Nations Health Council, totaling $75 million, to replace six existing First Nation-run treatment centres and build two new centres in B.C.
Whiteside said working with Indigenous communities to provide culturally appropriate services is a critical part of the province’s efforts to expand access to mental-health and addictions care so that more people can get the care they need in their communities.
She said that in B.C., First Nations people are almost six times more likely to die from illicit-drug poisoning than the rest of the population.
“We know we have to work together to turn back the dial on this terrible crisis,” she said.
“Love is at the centre and foundation of the work that will be done here. The work won’t be judgmental or punitive, and the staff here will approach this work with open hearts and minds.”
The Tsow-Tun Le Lum Healing House includes a sweat lodge, spiritual pond, walking trails, a Big House, arts and crafts spaces, yoga spaces, group and private counselling spaces, rooms for 2SLGBTQ+ people and a resident Elder apartment.
Nola Jeffries, executive director of the Tsow-Tun Le Lem Society, said it feels like there’s life already at the healing centre, even before it officially opens its doors.
She said it took “many hands” to see the facility constructed.
“We’re all super-excited to get started and welcome people here,” she said. “We’re opening in January and we’re ready to love and support people.”
