History and Culture

Nelson House Medicine Lodge was established in August 1989 to meet a growing need for a counselling and addictions treatment facility in northern Manitoba.

While there were other existing facilities, the Medicine Lodge was the first alcohol and drug treatment facility in northern Manitoba with programs specifically designed for aboriginal people, by aboriginal people. Its aim was to tackle addictions from an indigenous perspective.

With the establishment of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation in 1998, demand for the Medicine Lodge's culture-oriented programs continued to grow. By 2002, the Medicine Lodge was redesigned to expand its facility to meet the growing demand for services.

Culture

The Medicine Lodge's vision is Paving the Red Road to Wellness.

This is a lifelong journey of discovery of cultural identity and recovery. The Medicine Lodge was part of a study conducted by Dr. Ken Hart of the University of Winsdor. Dr. Hart's research sought answers to the importance of cultural identity and spirituality in achieving and maintaining sobriety.

Dr. Hart was able to confirm the centrality of these factors in an individual's ability to achieve and maintain a sober, healthy lifestyle.

© Nelson House Medicine Lodge