Culture First Approach
Westminster House works closely with Indigenous partners to provide programming through an Indigenous lens, intentionally decolonizing our spaces and incorporating culture-specific approaches to recovery. We provide a sacred environment for healing circles, ceremonies, and traditional crafts, all facilitated by respected local Elders and Knowledge Keepers.
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Guiding this process is our dedicated Indigenous Case Manager, a proud Cree/Métis Matriarch who walks alongside clients to share ancestral knowledge and facilitate reconnection. Through the power of storytelling and guided medicine walks, she helps residents foster a deep bond with the natural world—grounded in the belief that being connected to the land is an essential foundation for lasting recovery and wholeness.
A Foundation of Connection
At Westminster House, we believe that recovery is not just about the absence of substances, but the presence of connection—to community, to heritage, and to oneself. Our cultural approach is designed to decolonize the recovery process, moving away from clinical isolation and toward a vibrant, land-based, and community-driven model of healing. By integrating traditional Indigenous practices with evidence-based social recovery, we provide a safe space for women and youth to reclaim their identity and spirit.
WATCH​
Karis Gilbert
Westminster House Alumnae & Indigenous Women
Program Highlights
PARTNER:
2 Metis Women
We partner with '2 Metis Women' to offer our clients culturally grounded workshops designed to foster holistic well-being, self-care, mindfulness, and community connection, guided by principles of cultural safety and respect for Indigenous ways of knowing.
Government Support & Status Card
Navigating the complexities of government systems can be a significant barrier to long-term stability. Our team provides hands-on administrative advocacy to ensure every client has access to their rightful benefits, assisting with the recovery of lost identification and applications for applicable certificates.
Ceremony & Traditional Practices
Spirituality is a personal journey, yet its roots often lie in shared tradition. Our cultural programming is led by Elders and Knowledge Keepers who facilitate sessions including drumming, singing, and smudging. Clients are invited to participate in sweat lodge ceremonies and attend local Pow Wows, fostering a sense of belonging that transcends the treatment environment. These practices are open to all, offering a reintroduction to the sacred traditions that addiction often strips away.
Community & Kinship
In our social recovery model, the community is the medicine. We foster a "sisterhood" environment where clients support one another through shared chores, communal meals, and peer-led groups. This sense of kinship extends beyond our walls, as we work closely with urban Indigenous partners and local Nations to ensure our residents feel seen, heard, and supported by a wide network of aunties, mentors, and peers who understand their unique walk of life.
Land-Based Healing
We recognize that the land is a powerful teacher and healer. Our approach incorporates regular excursions into nature, where clients can reconnect with the earth through guided walks, medicine harvesting, and outdoor reflection. By stepping away from the urban environment and onto the land, residents learn to regulate their nervous systems and find peace in the natural world, reinforcing the understanding that we are all interconnected with the environment around us.