Kackaamin Family Development Centre

Healing families, not just individuals, is what this accredited non-profit Indigenous treatment centre has focused on for over 51 years in Port Alberni, B.C. They run 3 programs: a Family Program, a Supportive Recovery Program for Indigenous women in early recovery, and Rebuilding the Circle, which supports people healing from sexual violence trauma. Staff are on-site around the clock, and the grounds include a sweat lodge, sacred fire, and outdoor gathering space used for healing ceremonies. The centre primarily serves people of First Nations ancestry and individuals connected to a First Nations person through marriage or common-law relationship.

6-Week Family Recovery Program

The Family Program is built for families who are past the early stages of recovery and are ready to work on rebuilding attachment and parenting together. Everyone in the family takes part in workshops on communication, complex trauma, grief and loss, cultural oppression, lateral violence, and how addiction affects family life. Parents attend AA/NA as part of the program. Counselling, cultural healing ceremonies, the Nuu-chah-nulth parenting approach, and the Circle of Security Parenting Program are all woven into the six weeks.

Indigenous Women's Supportive Recovery

The Supportive Recovery Program offers 10 residential beds for Indigenous women in the Island Health region who are in early recovery. The Restoring Balance: Grief and Loss program runs alongside it, grounding care in Indigenous history, culture, and tradition. Cleansing Ceremonies, Smudging, Talking Circles, Spiritual Baths, Sweats, and Sacred Fires are all part of how the program is structured, not extras added on top.