Pee Kis Kwe Tan (Let's Talk) Society

Pee Kis Kwe Tan — Cree for “Let’s Talk” — is a community-based mental health and addiction services organization serving the Wabasca-Desmarais area of northern Alberta. Reflecting its name and its roots in the Bigstone Cree Nation territory, the society operates from a philosophy of open dialogue, community connection, and culturally responsive care. Programs are community-based and coordinated to meet the specific needs of the individuals and families the organization serves, respecting the diversity of cultures and lifestyles present in the region.

Community-Based Addiction Counselling

Pee Kis Kwe Tan provides outpatient addiction counselling services for individuals dealing with alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, and opioid dependence. The community-based model means that services are delivered close to home — reducing the need for clients in Wabasca-Desmarais and surrounding communities to travel long distances to access addiction support. Counselling sessions focus on helping clients understand their substance use, develop healthier coping strategies, and build the resilience needed for sustained recovery.

Mental Health and Human Services Integration

Addiction and mental health are deeply connected, and Pee Kis Kwe Tan addresses both. The organization’s mandate spans mental health, addiction, and human services — providing a coordinated, holistic response to the complex challenges that often accompany substance use. This integrated approach recognizes that isolation, trauma, grief, and social disruption are often at the root of addiction, particularly in remote Indigenous communities, and that recovery requires support across all of these dimensions.

Accessible Care in Northern Alberta

For residents of Wabasca-Desmarais and the surrounding Lakeland/Bigstone Cree Nation area, access to addiction treatment services can be a significant barrier. Pee Kis Kwe Tan exists to reduce that barrier — bringing professional counselling and human services support directly into the community. With a mandate rooted in respect for cultural diversity and the lived experience of northern Albertans, the society is a trusted local resource for individuals and families navigating addiction and mental health challenges.