To know more about Centre Walgwan, its team and activities.
At Walgwan Center, we believe that healing begins with culture, relationships, and a sense of belonging.
Every young person possesses unique strengths, gifts, and potential waiting to be realized.
Our role is to provide a safe, supportive, and culturally grounded environment where First Nations and Inuit youth can reconnect with their identity, rediscover hope, and build a future rooted in meaning, purpose, and wellness.
For more than 30 years, Walgwan Center has supported First Nations and Inuit youth facing challenges related to substance use, mental health, trauma, and complex social realities.
Over the years, our organization has evolved to meet the changing needs of youth, families, and communities.
Today, Walgwan Center is more than a treatment center; we are an Indigenous wellness center dedicated to walking alongside youth on their healing journey, where culture serves as a foundation for transformation, resilience, and hope.
To support First Nations and Inuit youth on their healing journey by providing culturally safe, strengths-based wellness services that foster hope, meaning, purpose, and belonging.
Healthy, resilient youth, families, and communities where every individual can thrive in their identity, wellbeing, and full potential, guided by cultural teachings, community connections, and resilience.
At Walgwan Center, we believe that culture is intervention. Our approach combines leading wellness practices with the knowledge, traditions, and teachings of First Nations and Inuit Peoples.
We recognize that healing is deeply relational and is strengthened through trust, connection to the land, guidance from Elders, and the restoration of cultural identity.
Our eight-week residential wellness program, with 50% of programming delivered through land-based experiences, provides youth with meaningful opportunities to reconnect with themselves, their communities, their culture, and the natural world.
What sets Walgwan Center apart is our commitment to walking alongside youth throughout their entire healing journey.
Our continuum of care includes pre-treatment services, residential wellness programming, virtual care, aftercare, community outreach, and life promotion initiatives designed to support long-term wellness beyond residential treatment.
We work in partnership with families, communities, Indigenous organizations, and health and social service partners to ensure continuity of care and lasting support for every young person we serve.
Respect – for self, others, culture, and the land.
Compassion – in every interaction and every relationship.
Accountability – to one another, our communities, and our shared responsibilities.
Collaboration – by working together with youth, families, communities, and partners.
Integrity – through honesty, humility, and ethical leadership.
Hope – as the foundation for healing, resilience, and transformation.
Every young person who walks through our doors brings a unique story shaped by their experiences, culture, family, and community.
Our commitment is not to define that story, but to create a space where youth can reclaim their voice, strengthen their identity, discover their gifts, and build a future grounded in hope.
By walking alongside youth, families, and communities, we strengthen relationships, honour Indigenous knowledge, and help build healthier communities for future generations.
Choosing a wellness program is an important decision. At Centre Walgwan, we are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and culturally responsive environment where youth can begin their journey toward healing, growth, and wellness.
We work in partnership with youth, families, communities, and referral partners to ensure that every young person receives individualized care that respects their unique experiences, strengths, and aspirations.
Individualized Care
No two healing journeys are the same. From the moment a young person enters our program, we work collaboratively to develop a personalized wellness plan that reflects their strengths, goals, and individual needs.
A Dedicated Multidisciplinary Team
Our team brings together wellness workers, youth counsellors, cultural mentors, Elders, land-based facilitators, and community partners who work collaboratively to provide coordinated, compassionate, and culturally responsive care.
A Safe and Supportive Environment
Creating a physically, emotionally, culturally, and psychologically safe environment is at the heart of everything we do. We foster a space where youth feel respected, valued, heard, and supported throughout their healing journey.
Family and Community Engagement
Healing extends beyond the individual. Whenever appropriate, we encourage the active participation of families, caregivers, and communities to strengthen relationships and support long-term wellness.
Continuity of Care
Healing does not end when a residential program concludes. Through pre-treatment services, virtual support, aftercare, and community outreach, we remain connected with youth as they transition back to their families and communities.
Our Commitment to Excellence
Centre Walgwan is committed to continuous quality improvement and organizational excellence. We regularly evaluate our programs, invest in staff development, strengthen clinical and cultural practices, and work alongside Indigenous communities and partners to ensure our services remain responsive, effective, and culturally relevant.
Personalized, strengths-based care
A multidisciplinary team dedicated to youth wellness
A safe, respectful, and culturally affirming environment
Strong partnerships with families and communities
A continuum of services that extends beyond residential care
High standards of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement
Healing is not a destination—it is a journey.
At Centre Walgwan, we are committed to walking alongside youth, families, and communities with compassion, respect, and hope. Together, we help young people build resilience, strengthen their identity, and develop the confidence to create a healthier future for themselves and the generations that follow.
Meet some key members of our team.
Interim Executive Director
Director of Operations and Wellness
Director of Clinical Services and Wellness
Centre Walgwan — Services and programs supporting community health.
Partners and Accreditations
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