Treatment centre provides holistic care

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Nenqayni Treatment Centre is tucked away in a private valley on the Xatsu'll First Nation (Soda Creek reserve), 21 km north of Williams Lake. The name Nenqayni, Chilcotin for 'people of the land,' is fitting to describe an environment where the beauty of the land itself helps care for the people. This tranquil setting of grassy fields and trickling waters, together with soft breezes whispering through pine and alder, has become a place of safety and restoration for numerous teens and families in need of personalized care and treatment in conquering drug and alcohol addictions as well as inhalant additions.

Nenqayni Treatment Centre is the reward of hard work and planning that began in 1978, when the chiefs of the Cariboo Tribal Council set up a drug and alcohol committee. The committee's goal was to provide help to Native people in a complete and traditional way. Originally called the Fish Lake Alcohol and Drug Centre, it was registered as a non-profit society in 1982 and began operation in 1983 at the St. Joseph Mission. Shortly after, the name was changed to the Nenqayni Treatment Centre Society. On Aug. 23, 1991, the treatment centre officially opened at its current location with programs beginning that September. A nine-member board of directors, comprised of members from the Shuswap, Carrier and Chilcotin nations, governs the society. They represent the 15 First Nation communities from the surrounding areas.

Today Nenqayni specializes in two different programs: the Family Alcohol & Drug Program, since 1991, and the Youth and Family Inhalant Program, since 1996. The programs were designed specifically for First Nations people by First Nations people to provide holistic healing in a safe and secure environment. The focus is to help people gain an understanding of past issues that may be causing addictions, get information on how to live better lives, and get back to the cultural basics and identity of their community.

The Family Alcohol & Drug Program at Nenqayni is unique because it supports the entire family. The facility is complete with family units, daycare, and the Jim Stillas Lodge (education centre). During the day while the parents attend sessions, their school-age children attend school and their younger children are cared for at the daycare.

Krystal, a young mother interviewed on an information video, said she chose the Nenqayni program because she refused to leave her daughter.

"At Nenqayni, I didn't have to," she said.

Each family is settled into a one- or two-bedroom unit with a full kitchen and private bathroom. Although Nenqayni provides a full cooked lunch each day, families are able to enjoy breakfast and supper together privately.

Participants receive individual and group therapy counselling as well as take part in recreational outings and activities in the area. It is a time to heal emotionally and set goals for the future.

"During the stay, a lot of decisions are made. Before leaving, patients should have solid plans on how to manage life and take responsibility for actions," said Rita Davis, a family counsellor at Nenqayni. Family and friends are invited to attend the graduation at the end of the six-week program.

The Youth & Family Inhalant Program is also distinctive in that it is only available at eight other treatment centres in Canada. It is a six-month residential program for teenagers. The program focuses on solvent, drug and alcohol abuse awareness, education and scholastic needs, family involvement, and individual and group counselling. Each participant receives his own bedroom and shares bathroom and kitchen facilities with others. Full time staff prepare healthy meals and everybody helps with chores.

The Nenqayni counsellors strongly believe that talking about the past is an important step to recovery from addictions. Senior counsellors bring out painful issues and encourage young people to reach out for support. They are open and honest about subjects such as sexal abuse and family violence.

They also instill confidence by making school mandatory. Bruce Mack, the Nenqayni administrator, says, " School is important to self-esteem, so it is not optional."

A typical day in the inhalent program begins with breakfast at 8:30 a.m., school until lunchtime, and therapy sessions in the afternoon. After sessions there are two hours to play sports at the gym before supper. Evenings are often spent doing crafts, or going on outings such as swimming or skating. Recreation and outings are an important part of the program.

"We want to introduce kids to healthy kinds of activities. We want them to know there is more to life than hanging around the mall," said Mack. Parents are invited to attend the last week of the program to take parenting classes. It is a time to bond and to talk openly about problems they may be facing as a family.

Last year, youths from communities in the Yukon, North West Territories, Labrador, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan completed the program and are now back home with support networks. "The going home plan is an important part of the program," Mack said. "We develop an individual plan for each youth and we maintain contact to encourage them."

The dedicated staff at Nenqayni work hard to help but they believe the key to sobriety is support. The centre's information video states, "Treatment doesn't automatically fix your problems; rather, it gives you time to understand your feelings and yourself. That understanding, combined with support from friends and family will help you on the road to sobriety."

For more information about the Nenqayni Treatment Centre programs or for a copy of the information video call 250-989-0301 or toll free 1-888-668-4245.