Recovery-oriented care for First Nations, by First Nations: Stefanson

WINNIPEG — A re-elected Manitoba PC government remains committed to fighting for recovery, by supporting the Quest Health Recovery Centre, a long-term recovery centre for First Nations, run by First Nations in downtown Winnipeg.

“Our PC Team knows that investing in recovery is critical to the health of Manitoba, and we stand strongly with families and individuals struggling with addiction,” said PC Leader Heather Stefanson. “Having a centre run by First Nations for First Nations is essential, as it’s imperative to have people reconnect with their culture and traditions. I am so impressed by what Chief Easter has created. It is unique, thoughtful, and will allow clients an opportunity to receive land-based care as part of the second stage of their journey to recovery.”

A re-elected PC government will provide up to $10-million in capital funding towards the Quest Health Recovery Centre. This facility is planned to include 180 mixed-gender addictions treatment beds for both on- and off-reserve First Nations clients. It is a culturally-sensitive, 12-week program, focused on the evolving needs and preferences of the First Nations community. The Quest Health Recovery Centre also plans to offer second stage treatment beds, which will allow for longer-term addictions treatment and facilitate soft landings back into the community.

Stefanson said, “Supporting the Quest Health Recovery Centre is part of our PC Team’s commitments to reconciliation in action—preventing further tragedies and helping First Nations individuals struggling with addictions connect to the services they need when they need them.”

The Quest Health Recovery Centre’s mission is to remove barriers for partnering First Nations communities to access the addictions treatment and recovery services that they need and deserve, regardless of where they live in Manitoba. Plans for the facility include travel to partnering First Nations communities to serve needs in northern and remote communities.

“Unfortunately, part of the legacy left to us after Residential Schools was a disproportionate amount of our people suffering from addictions. We know that the trauma and tragedy we faced has led to generations of our people suffering and we need to reach out and help,” said Chief Clarence Easter of Chemawawin Cree Nation. “We need to now focus on the living, and this is a good place to start.”

“Our PC Team is supporting First Nations-led solutions for Winnipeg and our Northern communities,” said Micheal Birch, PC candidate for Keewatinook. “I see firsthand how addictions issues have impacted our First Nations communities. We need a party willing to search out and support innovative solutions like the Quest Health Recovery Centre to better serve First Nations communities across Manitoba.”

The provincial election will be held on October 3rd, 2023.

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