Province Boosts Funding For Northern Addictions And Recovery Program

Released on December 7, 2021

Mental Health and Addictions Minister Everett Hindley today announced a $337,000 one-time grant to Kineepik Métis Local #9 for Muskwa Lake Wellness Camp.

Located near Pinehouse, the camp is a grass-roots, community-directed program that provides land-based health intervention to address alcoholism, suicide rates and overdose deaths in northern Saskatchewan communities. Its healing philosophy includes Western addictions education and traditional Indigenous teachings.

The camp is the site of a four-year Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) project, which focuses on unique addictions and recovery programs that recognize the deep connection to the land that is part of Indigenous culture. The project will focus on developing a culturally responsive model that can inform future programming and be adapted across the province. Part of the grant will also go toward winterizing the camp, which will allow the program to run year-round. Expanding services into the winter months means the camp can serve up to 90 people per year, 30 more than current capacity, in 15-person cohorts.

"It's vital that people have access to culturally sensitive addictions support that meet their recovery needs," Mental Health and Addictions Minister Everett Hindley said. "As a result, I'm pleased we are able to provide funding that allows Muskwa Lake Wellness Camp to participate in the CIHR research project - and to expand their services year-round, providing northern residents with greater access to important addictions and recovery services."

“We are extremely happy to be a recipient of the funds from the Government of Saskatchewan,” Health and Wellness Manager for the Kineepik Métis Local #9 Kimberly Smith said. “This funding will complement the support we have received from Kineepik Métis Local #9, Northern Village of Pinehouse, and Métis Nation of Saskatchewan over the years. The infrastructure upgrades will enable Northern residents to access this culturally based wellness program year round.”

This year, the province has invested a record $458 million in mental health and addictions supports and services, accounting for 7.5 per cent of the overall Health Budget.

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