Lac La Ronge Indian Band starts mobile addictions outreach program
CBC
Lac La Ronge Indian Band's Woodland Wellness Centre has received funding to start a mobile addictions outreach program to address the opioid and mental health crisis.
Federal funding of $1.48 million was approved through Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
Valerie McLeod, director of Sukawithiniwuk Wechihiwewikumik (Woodland Wellness Centre), said her team applied for funding in November and were happy to hear they were one of the 30 out of 300 communities to be successful.
"We needed to meet addictions needs, respond to crisis, be able to deliver harm reduction supplies to the communities," McLeod said.
"That's what these these vehicles will do."
McLeod said when she started working at the centre in 2022, she saw a need for something similar to the mobile supports offered in bigger cities.
McLeod said with the funding they will purchase two mobile counselling vans to deliver cultural services, based on community need.
The Woodland Wellness Centre is both a treatment and recovery facility that offers mental health and addiction treatment services for all Lac La Ronge Indian Band members.
Lac La Ronge Indian Band is Saskatchewan’s second largest First Nation. Its communities include La Ronge, about 340 kilometres north of Saskatoon, Stanley Mission, Hall Lake, Sucker River, Grandmother’s Bay and Little Red River.
McLeod said the centre is located in La Ronge, and some of the communities are two hours away and getting access to services can be difficult for some.
"We are trying to help improve the livelihood of our community members and get them safe information, help treat them and connect them to the treatment services that they may need," said McLeod.
McLeod said it's about getting the knowledge out there on what is available for the community, like providing naloxone kits.
There will be two elders from each community to provide support, smudging and counselling if needed.
"They will have a space other than the health centre or the band office," said McLeod.
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