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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
CHILLIWACK – A traditional village site near Chilliwack will be the home of a new and unique Aboriginal healing and wellness village, with $3 million in funding and a transfer of land from the Province, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.
“We are here at the future site of the Stehiyáq Healing and Wellness Village to fulfil our throne speech commitment to help establish the village. Aboriginal people want a greater say in their own health care, and we are responding,” said Campbell. “The village will be a place where the wisdom of Elders and traditional healing practices will join with modern approaches to help Aboriginal youth and families from across B.C. overcome histories of trauma, addiction and mental illness.”
The Stehiyáq Healing and Wellness Village will be operated by the Ch-ihl-kway-uhk Tribe Society, consisting of First Nations in the Chilliwack area. Provincial funding will be used to renovate existing buildings at a former youth correctional facility at Centre Creek. The lands at Centre Creek (13.14 hectares) will be transferred by the Province to the Tribe Society for the village. The site was once an Aboriginal village named Stehiyáq.
“Consistent with our commitment to the Transformative Change Accord to improve the lives of Aboriginal people, the village is one important way we can address the health-care gaps that separate Aboriginal people from other British Columbians,” said Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister Michael de Jong. “By listening and partnering with Aboriginal people, we can build stronger, healthier Aboriginal communities and families.”
“The
Premier has honoured us today with his commitment to the New Relationship and
we are deeply moved by the Province’s decision to support our desire to commit
this sacred land as a place for healing and wellness for our young people and
their families,” explained Chief Frank Malloway, chair of the Ch-ihl-kway-uhk
Tribe Society. “In our language, the word for ‘grandfather’ and ‘grandson’ is
the same. The Stehiyáq Healing and Wellness Village will bring these family
members together and help our young people fill their emptiness and overcome
their sickness and addictions with strength drawn from their culture. We
understand what is needed to heal our people, and we are proudly taking
responsibility for the health and well-being of our children.”
Stehiyáq Healing and Wellness
Village will consist of 28 healing beds and accommodate 32 people, including
staff. Residents of the village will have access to counselling and program
space, kitchen and dining facilities, indoor and outdoor recreation and healing
space. It is scheduled to open October 2008.
The village
will serve Aboriginal youth and families who are struggling with addictions and
who are victims of sexual, physical, substance, mental and emotional abuse,
including residential school survivors. The concept of Stehiyáq is unique in that it
focuses on traditional Aboriginal practices and concepts within a village
setting.
The project aligns with B.C.’s
tri-partite First Nations Health Plan that commits to strategically investing
in new approaches to close the health gaps that separate Aboriginal people from
other British Columbians. Through partnerships, treaties and other agreements
with First Nations, the Province is committed to closing the socio-economic
gaps that separate Aboriginal people from other British Columbians and to build
a New Relationship with First Nations based on respect, recognition and
reconciliation.
For more information
about the Stehiyáq Healing and Wellness Village, visit www.gov.bc.ca/arr.
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contact: |
Communications Director Office of the Premier 250 387-6605
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Communications Director Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation 250 953-2311 250 213-3489 (cell)
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General Manager Ch-ihl-kway-uhk Tribe Society 604 824-5271 604 799-0888 (cell)
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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