Nelson House Medicine Lodge

Nelson House Medicine Lodge is a Canadian Accreditation Council (CAC)-accredited addiction treatment centre located in Nelson House, Manitoba, on the traditional territory of Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation. Funded through the National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program (NNADAP), the Medicine Lodge provides an eight-week residential drug and alcohol treatment program that integrates both Indigenous and Western worldviews, guided by the natural laws of respect and humility. Serving both women and men, the Medicine Lodge offers culturally grounded healing for community members dealing with substance use and mental health challenges in northern Manitoba.

Eight-Week Residential Treatment Program

The Nelson House Medicine Lodge’s core program is an eight-week non-medical residential treatment experience that addresses alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine, opioid, and other substance use concerns. Counselling, individual and group programming, and holistic therapies are delivered within a framework that respects and integrates Indigenous healing traditions alongside evidence-informed Western approaches. The eight-week duration provides enough time for meaningful recovery work while remaining accessible to individuals who may face practical barriers to longer residential commitments.

Indigenous and Western Healing Integration

What distinguishes the Medicine Lodge is its commitment to bringing Indigenous and Western perspectives into genuine dialogue in the healing process. The natural laws of respect and humility — values that are central to Cree culture and spirituality — infuse the programme’s philosophy and daily practice. Holistic therapies, cultural programming, and the wisdom of Cree Elder knowledge are complemented by counselling techniques drawn from contemporary addiction science. This integrated approach creates a healing environment that resonates deeply with First Nations clients for whom cultural identity and spiritual grounding are inseparable from recovery.

Prevention, Aftercare, and Community-Based Support

The Medicine Lodge’s work extends beyond treatment through prevention programming (including NNADAP-funded community initiatives) and aftercare recovery services that support graduates as they transition back into community life. The centre’s location within Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation means that healing happens in the heart of the community rather than far from home — allowing family connections and cultural grounding to remain part of the recovery process. For Cree Nation members and Indigenous people in northern Manitoba seeking culturally safe, accredited addiction treatment, Nelson House Medicine Lodge is a trusted and deeply community-connected resource.