Culture Led Care
Tsë Lhts’ënc’il Nec’igekh Be Yikh is a culturally safe space for youth to heal, build life skills, and connect to culture and community
We provide a holistic approach to addressing trauma and promoting wellness and wellbeing for youth - giving youth a safe space that supports their physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional healing and well-being. With programs that involve community and families, providing access to counsellors, elders & knowledge keepers, we help young people heal by reconnecting them with the land, culture, and community. We also help them learn important life skills and gives families and community a chance to heal together.
We are a passive house certified home for 6 youth at a time with bedrooms for each, and living spaces that include a kitchen, lounge, gym, sensory room and social areas both inside and out. We also have space for live-in staff, a classroom, counselling room and staff offices. The building is designed to be fully accessible which allows us to cater to as many individuals as possible, from those with physical disabilities and sensory challenges to visiting elders.
There's no better time for healing than today.
At our heart is the Youth
The Youth are at the heart of Tsë Lhts’ënc’il Nec’igekh Be Yikh, a project driven by the community. Right from the start, the voices of our youth shaped its design and function.
A Connection to Culture
Addiction often stems from trauma and disconnection, Tsë Lhts’ënc’il Nec’igekh Be Yikh aims to reunite youth with their families, their community, and the land. It's about bringing them back home, where healing truly begins.
“I just really believe that this will bring a lot of light to that darkness and we'll find a way in our own way.”
-Witset Youth
Working Through it Together
Community members will have access to different opportunities to aid and participate in our healing programs. By uniting as a community, the hope is that we heal together.
The Program
At Tsë Lhts’ënc’il Nec’igekh Be Yikh, culture comes first. Healing is grounded in ceremony, teachings, land, belonging and connection. Alongside this, we use evidence-based approaches that give youth practical tools for things like:
Emotional safety
Coping & handling stress in healthy ways
Resilience
Calming the mind
Relationship skills
These supports are never separate from culture - they are woven into land-based learning, storytelling, and traditional practices. This way, youth get both the strength of Indigenous knowledge and the benefit of proven therapeutic tools, in a way that works for them. Trauma here isn’t just a medical word - it’s a lived experience of disconnection and deep loss. Healing means restoring connection to culture, land, language, identity and belonging. That’s why our program is built around:
Voluntary intake
Culturally safe spaces
Support focused on emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental healing
Land-based and cultural reconnection
Flexible programming tailored to individual needs
Approaches rooted in Indigenous philosophies of healing
Restoring connection to culture, identity, land, and community
THERE ARE 3 PHASES OF OUR PROGRAM:
INTENSIVE HEALING AND DEVELOPMENT
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We are open to creating an environment that is specific to your needs to heal, including cultural programs and ceremonies.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Private bedroom and shared living spaces
Daily support from counsellors, Elders, cultural staff, and youth workers
Healing through ceremony, teachings, land-based activities, and group/community connection
Counselling and evidence based supports woven into cultural programs
Family involvement options (visits, workshops, circles) During this phase, if you choose, your family/household can be involved to support and/or participate in your healing journey. There are cabins on-site to make family visits easy.
PHASE 1
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This will provide you with a structured approach to healing and support you during the adjustment back to your home and community. We know this is an important step as you enter into your regular routine - there are all kinds of stresses and triggers in real life, and as you adjust, we will provide you with the virtual care and tools to support you.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Structured support while they adjust back home
Ongoing check-ins, coping tools, and connection to cultural and community supports
Helping to address real-life stress, school or family adjustments
PHASE 2
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After graduating from the program, we will be an ongoing resource for you. From connecting you to services and programs local to your home, in community (wherever you live), offering mentorship opportunities to future youth in the program, connecting you to job skills training, or volunteer opportunities, or whatever you might need. We are here to help make sure we can assist and connect you to whatever you need to continue your healing journey.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Regular gatherings, mentorship, and cultural events (both virtual and in person)
Connecting youth to services and programs close to home (wherever they live)
Opportunities for job skills, volunteering, and leadership roles
Ongoing access to mentors, counsellors, Elders, and other supports
Support for families to help them walk with youth in their healing
Regular follow-up contact
Ongoing counselling support
Connection to Elders, mentors, or support workers whenever you need
Transition kits to take home
Ongoing cultural and spiritual connection
PHASE 3
Who it’s for
Tsë Lhts’ënc’il Nec’igekh Be Yikh is open to youth, ages 12-29 of ALL gender expressions who are seeking healing, support, and spiritual guidance. We support youth dealing with mental health, addictions, trauma, PTSD, FASD, and other challenges.
Intake is voluntary, and youth will be able to enter into the program without parental consent. Youth can submit an application directly, or it can be done by referral (from a loved one or a partner agency). If you have questions, or if you aren’t sure if this is the right program for you, please let us know so we can understand your needs to ensure we can accommodate where you are at in your healing journey.
More information on how to apply will be updated here as we get closer to our opening.
What we are not
Tsë Lhts’ënc’il Nec’igekh Be Yikh is not a judicial facility. It is not a treatment or detox facility. While the healing house will take in youth who are dealing with addiction, Tsë Lhts’ënc’il Nec’igekh Be Yikh is the program to enter after treatment or detox. Our team can help connect you with services both before and after our program to ensure you receive continuity of care.
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE?
Every day includes a mix of cultural activities, group healing, one-on-one support, creative outlets, and fun. Expect time on the land, ceremonies, teachings, fires, sports, and space to rest. Youth will have structure, but also time to breathe, reflect, and grow.
