Indigenous Healing Programming
Inpatient substance addiction treatment grounded in Indigenous culture and tradition
The Indigenous Healing Program at Edgewood Treatment Centre is designed to incorporate traditional Indigenous healing practices into the proven-effective therapeutic approach of Edgewood’s Addiction Program.
Addiction Treatment Centred Around Indigenous Practices
While Edgewood already offers resources and space to engage in Indigenous practices, this program provides further opportunity for Indigenous peoples to address intergenerational trauma and further explore traditional healing practices.
Edgewood has a dedicated Indigenous teaching, spiritual healing room with Indigenous artifacts and employs the following ceremonial and holistic practices which may include:
- Smudging
- Cedar Brushing
- Spiritual Cleansing/Bathing
- Walking the Land (Forest Bathing)
- Walking and land-based teachings
- Meditation
- Ongoing support from a dedicated Indigenous counsellor and/or Cultural Support Worker
- Weekly access to an elder
- Sweat Lodge (coming soon)
Edgewood’s Indigenous Healing Program
Located on Vancouver Island, on the traditional and unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples and the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation, Edgewood has expanded its addiction treatment offering to include a secondary program designed specifically for Indigenous peoples or other like-minded individuals who:
- Are ready to put substance abuse behind them, in a manner that honours a patient’s culture and understands the patient’s trauma
- Have experienced intergenerational trauma
- Struggle to function and complete daily tasks, or who are isolation due to trauma, PTSD, or other concurrent mental health disorders
- Are seeking an introduction to the Red Road to Wellbriety Indigenous 12-step teachings
Edgewood’s Legacy: Lasting Recovery From Addiction
When you turn to Edgewood for help with addiction treatment, you become part of a community dedicated to the success of your addiction recovery. Our addiction-certified medical team – including doctors, nurses, counsellors – provide the necessary clinical care needed for addiction recovery, while our Indigenous support workers and Elder offer emotional and spiritual support for a fully holistic healing process that addresses mental health and intergenerational trauma. Additionally, the connections you will make amongst those within your program will provide constant empathy, encouragement and feelings of belonging. These connections can be carried into post-graduation through our nation-wide alumni community.
To learn more about what our addiction program entails beyond specialized Indigenous support, visit our Mental Health and Addiction page.
About Edgewood
Part of the EHN Canada Network, Edgewood is a well-trusted alcohol addiction treatment centre in B.C. and has been guiding addiction recovery through evidence-based treatments for over 30 years. Situated amidst the natural beauty of Vancouver Island’s east coast in Nanaimo, Edgewood provides the peace, support, and community you need to heal.
