Neighbours see plans, offer feedback for Indigenous addiction treatment centre near Red River

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This article was published 13/02/2025 (238 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Residents in the St. John’s neighbourhood had a chance Thursday to look at the plans and offer feedback for an Indigenous recovery centre on the banks of the Red River expected to begin construction in a few weeks.

The 400-bed Quest Recovery Centre, at 55 Redwood Ave., will deliver a 12-week residential treatment programming to Indigenous Manitoba adults and offer post-treatment supports.

A steady stream of residents and those who work in the area came and went from an open house at the St. John’s Friendship Centre, which displayed renderings of the facility Thursday afternoon.

Ruth Avery, who lives next to the chosen site, said while she has concerns about safety, she supports the facility.

“Will I need to take extra precaution? Do I need to keep an extra eye out? But everyone needs help, I’m totally for it,” she said.

The building will feature residential suites, a fitness facility, gathering areas, an outdoor patio and cultural services.

Chief Clarence Easter from Chemawawin Cree Nation was one of four First Nations leaders involved in the project’s planning and said the centre is of critical importance to members of his community.

“Our people are suffering greatly and they need more help than what is being provided,” he said. “We came up with this solution to save lives, not only up in the North, but anywhere in the city and anywhere in Manitoba.”

Programming in northern communities will be developed to provide after-care support, he said, adding existing supports in his First Nation are inadequate.

Ken Genlik, who will oversee programming at the non-profit facility, said treatment will combine Indigenous and western models.

Without relief services in a home community the relapse rate increases substantially, Genlik said.

“At one point, there is no hope and they give up,” he said. “We are trying to prevent all of that.”

Another St. John’s resident, who declined to provide her name, said detox and recovery services are few and far between in Manitoba and the Quest facility is sorely needed.

“This will be huge for the area,” she said.

Easter said while it won’t be the be-all, end-all solution to addiction, it will help.

“It’s the beginning,” he said.

The facility will be an extension of the Quest Health Centre in downtown Winnipeg, which provides accommodations and other medical services to First Nations people who are sent to the city to receive treatment.

During the 2023 provincial election the Progressive Conservatives committed to providing up to $10 million for the centre’s construction if re-elected. The NDP government did not provide any funding for the project in Budget 2024.

Stakeholders will take feedback received at the open house and consider it using in the final plans. An official announcement is expected at a later date.

nicole.buffie@freepress.mb.ca