(The Yuasni Treatment Centre/ Photo submitted by: Tina Pelletier)
The Yuasni Tipi Treatment Centre is celebrating their grand opening today.
The new treatment facility is located in Wahpaton Dakota Nation, located 12 miles northwest of the city of Prince Albert.
The centre will provide culturally sound services to adults and families. Their focus will be on supporting family wellness, cultural knowledge sharing, life skills development, and land-based therapy.
Grand opening of the Yuasni Treatment Centre/ Photo submitted by: Tina Pelletier
“Wahpeton Dakota Nation is honoured to be the host site for Yuasni Tipi Treatment Centre located on 94B. On behalf of Wahpeton Dakotah Nation, we would like to thank the PMT for all their hard work. The treatment centre staff and programs will support and benefit First Nations families through their healing journeys,” said Cheif John Waditaka of the Wahpeton Dakota Nation.
The treatment centre includes six family suites with two bedrooms and two individual units.
A cultural room is located in the centre of the facility for cultural practices and ceremonies.
They made the facility to have the capacity to have gatherings and programming and have two classrooms and a large multipurpose room.
Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte at Yuasni Treatment Centre Grand Opening/ Photo submitted by: Tina Pelletier
“Today is an important moment for our communities. The Yuasni Treatment Centre is very meaningful because it offers healing in a way that respects our traditions and cultural values. It provides families and individuals with the support they need to regain their strength and well-being. We are proud to see this facility open, and we believe it will have a lasting impact, helping many people in their journey to recovery,” explained Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte of the Prince Albert Grand Council.
This new facility will provide a culturally safe space where clients can receive balanced and purposeful programs.
“The act of colonization through displacement, discrimination, and systemic racism has caused intergenterational trauma for Indigenous People. Keeping Indigenous care in Indigenous hands is an integral part of the Government of Canada’s work toward reconciliation, and we continue to support the Yuasni Treatment Centre in providing a safe space for Indigenous people on their paths to recovery,” said the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services.
Indigenous Services Canada supported the construction of the treatement facility with 9.8 million dollars in funding contributions.
Grand opening of the Yuasni Treatment Centre/ Photo submitted by: Tina Pelletier