Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

Submitted by Nelson David White

On Tuesday, February 27, 2018, Guy Lauzon, Member of Parliament for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry, visited the White Pine Healing Lodge on Cornwall Island, and was hosted by Nelson David White, Steering Committee Chairperson, with a tour of the facility that will be a short-term home for future patients/clients in need of recovery from the disease of addictions to drugs and alcohol, and chemical dependency.

The meeting proved to be very positive. It was discussed and strongly agreed on the importance to have a close working relationship with the Community Addiction and Mental Health Centre of the Cornwall Hospital. Mr. Lauzon understands the increase of substance use disorder (SUD) in the area, as well as the high incarceration rates, and that they both need to be addressed. He strongly supports the development of a facility such as the White Pine Healing Lodge.

Addressing the SUD in the community in a friendly and welcoming facility is a key for improving community wellness, promoting wellness, incarceration reduction and prevention of the repeated SUD occurrences, as well as reconnecting family members into a unified atmosphere and lifestyle.

The White Pine Healing Lodge is continuing to progress in its development, and it was mentioned to Mr. Lauzon that the mission of the Healing Lodge is to help First Nations people in our community, as well as other First Nation communities. The completion of the White Pine Healing Lodge in Akwesasne, and making it ready for operation, is the most time-efficient and cost-efficient option for the development of a residential treatment of addiction recovery of Indigenous people in south-eastern Ontario, where a residential capacity for this type of treatment for adult patients practically does not exist. The facility can be operational within months.