Plans for Indigenous wellness centre in Yellowknife 'up in the air'

Since its formation in 2017, the Arctic Indigenous Wellness Foundation has envisioned opening an Indigenous wellness centre for holistic and traditional healing in the North. Their goal is for the centre to be built near the Frame Lake Trail in Yellowknife — on land next to the Stanton Territorial Hospital. 

But plans have not progressed as anticipated. In December 2019, Wilbert Cook, the foundation's executive director, said that construction would likely begin in 2020.

But more than two years later, the organization has yet to obtain rights to the land and secure the funds needed to begin construction.  

Since 2018, the Arctic Wellness Foundation has operated a land-based healing camp in Yellowknife. The healing camp, made up of teepees and tents, has services including traditional counselling, sobriety assistance, a breakfast program for the homeless and cultural ceremonies. 

They work with many clients, including residential school survivors and those struggling with substance abuse. A high percentage travel from out of town for their services. 

In a discussion at the camp, Arvin Moody, a traditional counsellor, said that they have been getting referrals from Social Services and Inclusion N.W.T. since last year. "They have recognized our services because of the pandemic. More people are reaching out to us now," he said. 

Ruth Mercredi, another traditional counselor, said she can tell the camp is helping people.

"Some of them dance right out of here," she said. "They have hope in their heart. And that's a good thing. It's change right before your eyes." 

The Arctic Wellness Foundation's goal is to open a nearby wellness centre that would operate concurrently with their healing camp. The proposed wellness centre would expand their services, and the construction of a building would provide a sense of permanency. 

"Instead of tents and teepees, we'll have actual offices," Cook said.  "We'll have meeting rooms to do ceremonies."  

In November 2021 the organization won an international award for the sustainable design of its envisioned building, which is based on the same traditional principles of the healing camp.  

Cook said that elders within the foundation worked to fund the design. "They took it upon themselves to do it. And they got an architect from Ottawa who donated his time for this." 

In an interview with CBC, N.W.T. Minister of Health and Social Services Julie Green confirmed her department had no role in the design. 

Before they can move beyond the design stage, the foundation needs to gain rights to the land by the hospital.