Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ program works to create ‘culture of recovery’

A new addictions recovery program organized by Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation, Roots to Recovery, looks to fill a gap in existing services.

Alexis Fox, a community justice coordinator at the First Nation, said there aren’t a lot of post-treatment services available in the Northwest Territories.

“The GNWT will ship people down south, send them to treatment, and then just kind-of stick them back in the community and hope for the best,” said Fox.

“We’ve heard for a long time at the band level that that’s not working. It’s very evident when you’re out in the community that people need more than that.”

(The territorial government, which has acknowledged this issue, has begun piloting some new programs of its own in other communities.)

Fox said people returning to the community after receiving treatment can face stigma, and those who may not have friends or family to lean on can find their return difficult.

While programs like Alcoholics Anonymous are available in Fort Simpson, its approach – which has been variously described as spiritually inclined or faith-based – can create barriers for some.

Roots to Recovery aims to provide land-based support through building community and sharing stories. It will be facilitated by addictions outreach worker Michael Cazon.

The program was initiated after Cazon approached LKFN’s wellness coordinator with a recovery coach training opportunity in Yukon.

“That really got us here at LKFN thinking about what we can do locally, what community-driven programming we can provide,” said Fox.

Cazon has experience completing field work with the The Indian Residential School Survivors Society and working with the Council of Yukon First Nations as a health development facilitator.

He also has lived experience with addictions and recovery.

While dealing with alcoholism, Cazon said he faced severed connections, losing his driver’s licence and his ” whole way of life.”

Once he was sober, Cazon said he faced a lot of obstacles.

“I had to reestablish and rebuild my relationship with my family but I had to overcome a lot of things. I wanted to be a part of their life again.”

Leading Roots to Recovery is a way for Cazon to make amends with his community, he said, though some of the people with whom he wanted to reconnect are no longer around.

“Hopefully some of the work that we’re doing will affect their children and future generations,” said Cazon.

He said part of the program looks at underlying causes of addiction.

“Sharing our stories, I think it’s going to be really crucial in that area,” said Cazon.

“Everybody has a story – and yours is probably different than mine – but we all have a story, and then it’s important to share our stories so we can understand each other and support one another.”

Next week, Fox said, LKFN is partnering with the Dehcho First Nations to bring facilitators from British Columbia to Fort Simpson who will lead recovery coach training.

This training is expected to create an additional 15 recovery coaches for people who may need additional support or help connecting to resources, said Fox.

Roots to Recovery is set to launch on Wednesday this week at the new Cultural Tourism Centre. Fox said the drop-in program will include a meal, drumming and a fire.

Rides to the centre are being offered from the LKFN foyer at 5pm.