Staff
Despite a chilly wind, a large group gathered at 071 McTavish Rd. in La Vallee last Thursday morning for a ground-breaking ceremony for the “Abinoojii Akiin” (Children’s Land) Centre, which is expected to be completed in June.
The project represents a legacy for Weechi-it-te-win Family Services, which is made up of the 10 First Nations of southern Treaty #3, to leave for its children and families.
The legacy is one of healing and wellness found in the traditions and culture of the Anishinaabe.
In a previous ceremony, the land symbolically was given to toddler Radius Kelly and six-year-old Kianna Shughrue, who represent the children.
And they were part of the ground-breaking celebration last week.
The project is a culmination of four years of searching for land, design and development, and planning to create a facility that will serve as the cultural base for Weechi-it-te-win Family Services.
The new “Abinoojii Akiin” Center will house numerous programs, including children’s mental health, telepsychiatry, clinical services (including psych assoc. referral and assessment co-ordination), cultural and healing programs, the Ganawendaasowin Assessment Program (GAP), and the Ganawendaasowin Treatment Program (GTP).
The GAP is a 30-day, three-bed assessment program for youth aged 12-18 who require stabilization, support, and assessment to determine the next steps in a continuum of care.
The GTP, meanwhile, is a 90- to 120-day, 10-bed treatment program for youth aged 12-18 who are experiencing addictions and behavioural difficulties.
The programs are both fully-licensed residential care facilities that employee 23 full-time, three part-time, and 15 relief staff from the area.
“Several years ago, we weren’t sure if we would find a land base,” noted Lori Flinders, director of Nanaadawewinan.
“We faced many barriers to locating the perfect spot to carry out our vision for a legacy to leave for our children, families, and communities,” she recalled.
“Since purchasing the property in La Vallee in 2010, we have hosted several cultural events and utilized the current home for family preservation, and I am happy to say that the Township of La Vallee has been very welcoming,” Flinders added.
“We are ecstatic that construction on the Ganawendaasowin treatment facility, roundhouse, and office complex has finally begun and we can see the manifestation of our vision come alive.”
Construction by Ed Kaun and Sons Ltd. began in October.
Weechi-it-te-win Family Services hopes to begin the transfer of programs to the completed site by next summer.
