The Province of British Columbia is investing $8.3 million to launch a new Tŝilhqot’in-led healing and wellness model aimed at supporting First Nations people living with substance-use challenges. Developed in partnership between the Tŝilhqot’in National Government and Red Road Recovery, the Red Road River Tŝilhqox project will provide culturally grounded treatment and recovery services that integrate traditional healing practices and land-based wellness. The initiative addresses the urgent need for culturally safe care in Indigenous communities, which have been disproportionately impacted by the toxic-drug crisis.
The model will include dedicated spaces for supportive recovery, treatment and recovery, and post-treatment transitional housing. Located near Hanceville, the facilities will ensure that members of the six Tŝilhqot’in Nation communities, as well as other Indigenous Peoples, can access care closer to home. Leaders from the Tŝilhqot’in Nation and Red Road Recovery emphasized that connecting people to culture, land, and community is essential for lasting healing and recovery.
Construction is scheduled to begin in September 2025, with the centre expected to open in late fall 2025. In the meantime, the Province has provided interim funding for two private treatment and recovery beds at the Red Road Ranch in Lumby for Tŝilhqot’in community members. The project follows the Tŝilhqot’in National Government’s 2024 state of local emergency declaration in response to the toxic-drug crisis and reflects ongoing commitments made with the Province to improve wellness across communities.
By combining Indigenous knowledge with a full continuum of care, the Red Road River Tŝilhqox project is set to play a vital role in expanding mental health and substance-use services in B.C. It represents a significant step in addressing intergenerational trauma, reducing the risk of overdose, and supporting healthier, more resilient Indigenous communities.
