Photo Courtesy of Government of Alberta

By Jayson Taylor

Recovery community to be built on Tsuut’ina Nation

Jul 5, 2023 | 3:00 PM

TSUUT’INA NATION, AB – The Alberta government announced Wednesday that they are partnering with Tsuut’ina Nation just outside of Calgary to build a recovery community on the reserve.

Premier Danielle Smith was in Tsuut’ina Nation on Wednesday to make the announcement with local leaders of the Tsuut’ina Nation.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the provincial government stated, “Alberta’s government is expanding treatment and recovery options to help Albertans pursue recovery at no cost.” This plan includes building 11 new recovery communities that will allow for long-term addiction treatment throughout Alberta, including this facility just west of Calgary.

The provincial government signed a memorandum of understanding with the Tsuut’ina First Nation for the development of a new recovery community. With an investment of up to $30 million in capital, the government says that the 75-bed facility will provide holistic addiction treatment services for up to 300 people in the Calgary area annually.

“Every individual suffering from the illness of addiction can have the hope that recovery is possible. We are committed to walking together with Indigenous partners to increase land-based addiction treatment and healing across the province. This partnership with Tsuut’ina Nation is an important step in stopping the cycle of addiction and building a system of care to meet the needs of the community,” Premier Danielle Smith said in a statement on Wednesday.

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Minister of Mental Health and Addiction Dan Williams also released a statement:

“Recovery communities offer hope that recovery from addiction is possible – and provide a path to achieving it. We’re proud to partner with Tsuut’ina Nation on a recovery community that will welcome Indigenous people and southern Albertans and give them the support they need to change their lives,” Williams said.

The government says that working with First Nations is vital to removing barriers to comprehensive, culturally appropriate services in Indigenous communities and an important part of strengthening recovery-oriented care around Alberta.

“Tsuut’ina fully supports an active approach to drug rehabilitation for our affected Nation members and the region. The scourge of drugs in Alberta has tragically affected every community. We will not give up on our citizens suffering from substance abuse issues – nor should any community. Let’s do everything in our power to turn their lives around,” Chief Roy Whitney of Tsuut’ina Nation said on Wednesday.

Construction on the facility is expected to begin in 2024, and treatment at these facilities will be free for all Albertans who need to use them. Other recovery communities will also be built on Enoch Cree Nation, and Blood Tribe lands, as well as other regions in Alberta. As of July 5, 11 are currently planned or underway.

Full details can be found here.