Renewed spirit and life $21-M revamp expands, modernizes Indigenous treatment centre By: Scott Billeck Posted: 3:44 PM CDT Tuesday, Sep. 1, 2026

Don Robinson knows first-hand that many people don’t get sober by themselves.

In late June 1984, Robinson downed his last drink. His recovery began at Pritchard House in Winnipeg’s North End, a 22-bed treatment facility run by the Native Addictions Council of Manitoba.

“I didn’t get sober by myself,” said Robinson, a member of Bunibonibee Cree Nation who now works in grief and trauma counselling and traditional knowledge as an elder at Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc.

More than four decades later, Robinson was back at the council on Monday, crowded into a room at its newly renovated treatment centre at 160 Salter St. — a place he once turned to for help and where he helps others now.

“Part of my sobriety is giving back, giving 12-step talks,” Robinson said. “I tell them, ‘In order to sober up, you need to start a new life. That old life doesn’t work anymore. You have to start a new life. The addiction took you. To start a new life you have to start fresh, you got to start not using. You have to detox your mind… your body.’”

The organization celebrated the reopening of the Salter Street facility Monday following a redevelopment funded largely by the federal government, which contributed $21 million.

The revamped centre has more than double the group’s residential treatment capacity: to 22 beds from 10 beds.

“These renovations mean renewed spirit and renewed life, where people have an opportunity to come and continue their healing journey,” said executive director Sandra Malcolm.

The century-old building has been updated with green technology that provides 70 per cent fuel reduction savings, over 30 per cent reduction on energy build costs and a reduction of 95 per cent greenhouse gas and CO2 emissions, said Tyler Clegg, president of Parkwest Projects Ltd.

Other improvements include life safety measures, including a new fire alarm and sprinkler system, new and upgraded mechanical systems, a new heating and cooling system, and amenities such as improved accessibility, gender-neutral and accessible washrooms and a new elevator, which replaced the second-oldest elevator in the province.

“These renovations mean renewed spirit and renewed life, where people have an opportunity to come and continue their healing journey.”

Clegg said new furniture was still arriving, paid for by the grant from the federal government. Dufresne Furniture and Appliance donated bed frames and mattresses.

The organization was founded in 1972 as the Native Alcoholism Council of Manitoba and initially operated from an office garage before moving to 865 Main St.

A year later, the United Church of Canada donated the use of a home at 456 Pritchard Ave. There, the council established the Pritchard House residential treatment program, the first Indigenous-run treatment centre of its kind in Canada.

It moved to 160 Salter St. in 1984. A decade later, as illicit drug use became increasingly prevalent, the organization adopted its current name.

In 2000, it became the first treatment centre in Manitoba to be accredited by Accreditation Canada as a health-service provider. It celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022, a year before Ottawa announced funding for the redevelopment.

Today, it runs a six-week residential healing program that combines traditional Indigenous practices with self-discovery and empowerment. The focus is to heal trauma and addiction through love, strength and power. Many of their clients come from northern communities.

Those who complete the residential program can move into a five-week recovery and follow-up day program designed to strengthen coping skills, self-awareness and communication, while helping participants better understand grief and loss.

Among its recent graduates is Dewayne Ballantyne, who completed the residential program while it temporarily operated at 1970 Main St. during construction.

“When I first walked in, I was nervous and anxious, but the moment I stepped in, I knew this was the place to be,” Ballantyne said. “They welcomed me with open arms, nothing but love. I felt safe. Born and raised in the North End, and coming here, it felt safe.

Ballantyne said his time in the program taught him about his triggers and boundaries and helped him reconnect to his culture.

“I used to be in the culture back in the day, but I lost touch,” he said. “I learned to deal with my emotions… they were a roller-coaster. NACM gave me the tools to learn to heal and learn a healthy way, and gave my that spark to reconnect with my culture.

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca