Poundmaker’s Lodge celebrated their soft opening of their Rainbow Healing Lodge (Pîsimoyâpiy) providing a space for Indigenous LGBTQ2S people’s to recover and heal.
Being operational for close to 50 years, Poundmaker’s Lodge is known as Canada’s first addictions treatment centre specifically for Indigenous clients. Their healing centers function based in the cultural and spiritual beliefs of traditional First Nations, Metis and Inuit people.
Pîsimoyâpiy is the first healing lodge of it’s kind in Alberta, providing the LGBTQ2S Inidgenous community to heal in a safe space without fear of being discriminated.
Brad Cardinal is the Executive Director of Poundmakers Lodge, he spoke to media following the grand opening saying this facility wouldn’t be possible without the guidance and recommendations of their clients.
With this being the first of it’s kind in Alberta, Cardinal hopes to expand this concept to their other locations across Canada.
The 10 bed house will begin accepting new clients in the beginning of December. For details on how you can get involved with Poundmakers Lodge, you can visit their website.
