Province funds new main cabin at Muskwa Lake Wellness Camp near Pinehouse

By Derek Cornet

The Saskatchewan government is providing the Muskwa Lake Wellness Camp with $246,000 to build and furnish a fully functional main cabin, which has improved spaces for group and individual counselling, as well as industrial kitchen and laundry spaces.

In addition, funding will be provided to support 12 in-patient addiction treatment spaces at the camp to benefit residents from across the province.

“We are committed to the project and to building a relationship that supports success for residents on their recovery journey,” Mental Health and Addictions Minister Tim McLeod said in a media release issued Tuesday.

“I want to thank Muskwa Lake Wellness Camp for the work they have done and continue to do in delivering culturally responsive care for Saskatchewan residents.”

Muskwa Lake Wellness Camp is located near Pinehouse and is operated by Kineepik Métis Local #9. The camp is a grassroots, community-directed program that provides land-based health intervention. Its healing philosophy includes Western addictions education and traditional Indigenous teachings.

“Muskwa Lake Wellness Camp is honoured to be the recipient of this meaningful funding from the provincial government,” said Kimberly Smith, the health and wellness manager for the Kineepik Métis Local #9. “With this funding, we can continue offering a safe space where individuals can embark on their healing journey while embracing Indigenous ways of being.”

The Ministry of Health, the Saskatchewan Health Authority and Kineepik Métis Local #9 have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish operating funding of $700,000 for the camp this fiscal year, which will allow the camp to provide service to 105 in 2023.

In 2021, the province provided Muskwa Lake Wellness Camp with $337,000 to winterize buildings to operate year-round. This allowed the camp to expand services to help more people.