Aboriginal Youth Lodge Marks Official Opening

Aboriginal Youth Lodge Marks Official Opening

Friday, September 14, 2007 at 15:08

A First Nations youth addiction treatment centre in the Qu’Appelle Valley is celebrating its grand opening today.

The Leading Thunderbird Lodge is located at Fort San, and is run by the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council and the Touchwood Agency Tribal Council.

It began providing residential and outreach services eight months ago.

The provincial and federal governments have given the centre a combined $2.4 million to help establish the facility.

A staff of 20 people, including a registered psychologist, work with community elders at the centre.

In addition to therapeutic services, Leading Thunderbird offers a school program — but the lodge is operated as a health program, with clients receiving 24-hour supervision by trained staff.

The lodge has a fully equipped gymnasium and cardiovascular fitness area, a cultural centre, and an outdoor area with a sweat lodge, tipi and a volleyball court.