A Norman Wells resident has established a not-for-profit designed to help people in the Sahtu region through addiction and trauma recovery.
The Sahtu Support Association, which began in May, aims to take a holistic approach to healing by fostering a reconnection with Indigenous heritage.
According to a description of the association, it offers temporary housing, counselling, creative workshops and traditional cultural practices.
Bryson Rogers said he recently left a senior finance position at the NWT government to commit to the initiative. He said that position no longer felt meaningful, so he decided to quit and dedicate himself to creating a safe space where people can maintain a sober lifestyle.
“I was getting a great pay and it was an amazing workplace, but I didn’t feel like I was helping people any more. I felt like I need to be doing something that fulfills me in that particular aspect,” he told Cabin Radio.
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“I know I took a leap of faith, but I recognize how required this is and how I want to put all my time and effort into this project.”
Having heard many stories of people returning to town after treatment but being unable to go home, Rogers wanted to set up an alternative that would help them avoid falling back into old habits. He even started a GoFundMe page to provide for his own family while he stepped into the new role.
In the long term, Rogers hopes to raise close to $2.5 million to build a gathering area for the Sahtu Support Association in Norman Wells. He said an empty lot next to Mackenzie Mountain School would be ideal for the project.
The association is working with Ever Good Medicine in an attempt to start a youth and Elder on-the-land teaching program in Norman Wells. Rogers said he hopes to partner with the Arctic Indigenous Wellness Foundation in the future.
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He said he is awaiting corporate registration with the GNWT for the project and will move on to funding proposals once that is complete.
The association already has a 12-member board that includes Rogers alongside Mary Masuzumi, Sonya Wall, Dolly Pierrot, Wilbert Menacho, Delany Harley Rogers, Hunter Baton, Jaryd McDonald, Sam Hodgson, Nicole Richards, Lisa Hennessey and Jordan Chubb.
Rogers said most of the members have been sober from alcohol and hard drugs for some time and are now committed to helping others choose a healthier path.
“People here feel like they’ve been abandoned by the rest of society. We’ve been forgotten about,” he said.
“We’re the North. Nobody really cares. We’ve been crying out for help forever, and we’re still not getting help.
“I want them to know that we have the ability to help ourselves. We’re done asking. I just want people to feel supported.”
