Benbowopka Treatment Centre holds a ground-breaking ceremony for the new facility
By Leslie Knibbs
BLIND RIVER — Following approval from Indigenous Services Canada, the Benbowopka Treatment Centre recently held a ground-breaking ceremony to celebrate the building of a 16-bed 17,000-square-foot facility in Blind River.
The Centre, previously known as the Anishnabie Naadmaagi Gamig Substance Abuse Treatment Centre, opened its doors as an abstinence-based program that has provided addiction treatment for Indigenous people in 1991, and now provides a culturally-based harm reduction model of services to those seeking residential treatment for substance abuse. Since its opening, Benbowopka has operated out of a century-old building. Applications to Indigenous Services Canada started seven years ago for the new build.
“Officials (at the Centre) were filled with both relief and excitement when the proposal was finally accepted,” said Jim Baraniuk, Acting Executive Director.
The design of this new treatment centre will come with a strong cultural component since cultural programming is the foundation at Benbowopka Treatment Centre for helping individuals on their healing journey through treatment.
Ogimaa (Chief) Brent Bissaillion from Serpent River First Nation attended the ground-breaking ceremony with Chief Andy Rickard from Garden River First Nation, Allan Moffatt CEO of Mamaweswen, The North Shore Tribal Council , Chief Bob Chiblow of Mississauga #8 First Nation, Chief Dean Sayers from Batchewana First Nation, and Chief Angus Toulouse from Sagamok Anishnawbek
“This new facility will address the growing need for healing space and ensure we’re helping our communities be healthy and prosperous,” said Chief Chiblow days after the ground-breaking.
“This new treatment facility will have a tremendous impact in helping address the growing need for addiction treatment across our local First Nation Communities,” said Ogimaa Bissaillion.
Chief Bissaillion serves in many roles related to the new facility, including the head of Benbowopka’s board of directors.
“It’s going to be a place for our community to start healing,” he said. “With all the addictions and mental health issues that rage in the country right now, this is going to be a big step forward for the region.”
The new build is designed to allow for the capacity to deliver cultural programming that is a major emphasis of Benbowopka Treatment Centre’s treatment model, which also includes Indigenous Healing Seeking Safety curriculum that focuses on addressing past trauma issues that may have triggered addiction, according to Baraniuk. The acting director described some of the additions and improvements coming to the new centre.
“These include state-of-the-art recreational equipment and an up-to-date kitchen area with all appliances enabling clients to engage in and learn cooking skills and meal planning. In addition, the new build will accommodate indoor and outdoor sacred fires, as well as a cedar bath and a cultural lodge for cultural teachings,” Baraniuk explained. “Benbowopka’s unique ‘wrap-around’ model of services also introduces additional counselling and community supports being delivered by Maamwesying North Shore Community Health Services to clients while in treatment. These support services can continue on with the clients once they leave treatment, which reduces chances for relapse once they leave treatment.”
“We are proud of the partnerships that have been created between Benbowopka Treatment Centre, Mamaweswen, North Shore Tribal Council, and Maamwesying North Shore Community Health Services to provide a seamless transition of service between pre-treatment, residential treatment and aftercare services,” said Moffatt. “This new facility will help integrate these services even more.”
Tenders for the new facility have gone out and it is expected the build will be finished in the Fall of 2024.
For more information on the new Centre, contact Emily Daybutch, Communications Coordinator for Maamwesying North Shore Community Health Services: emily.daybutch@nmninoeyaa.com.