The ground has broken on the Seven Nations Soaring Eagles Treatment Centre to be completed in West Creston.
It will be a 16-bed facility, with multiple programs available for Indigenous people throughout BC.
Lower Kootenay Band Nasukin Jason Louie says the nearly decade-long battle to get the treatment centre built started is indicative of his people.
“Most people would have given up years ago, but we’re not most people. Achieving dreams is an art form and it takes strategy. We just stuck with it,” said Louie at the groundbreaking ceremony.
“But it’s bittersweet. It’s going to be almost two years, but at least a piece of mind that there’s no stopping it now and the ultimate goal is helping people who are seeking help.”
The treatment centre will offer different programs for those seeking help and will potentially be co-ed.
Louie says the details of the programs have yet to be hammered out.
“It could vary in length of the program. It could be six weeks, it could be two months or even three months. But what I’ve seen, just my observation, is the programs that are up to three months have the best success rates versus six weeks. You’re just skimming the surface of the issues and the likelihood of relapses is higher when it’s a shorter program.”
Settled amidst the trees and nature, a stone’s throw away from the Creston Wildlife Management Area, Louie says the treatment centre will have a strong connection to the land.
“The culture is going to be a big part of the healing component. It needed to be away from the town or even the main area of the Lower Kootenay Reserve. There needs to be a certain level of isolation so they can focus on themselves and their treatment.”
However, the centre will be close enough to allow for medical intervention in case of an emergency.
Originally, the project would have cost around $4 million, however, due to inflation and a nine-year delay, the project has ballooned up to $16 million.
However, Louie says they will be looking to involve local contractors to help local businesses throughout the build.
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