The Arctic Indigenous Wellness Foundation is ending its one-on-one healing services after 8 years of operations, to focus on rebuilding their long-term healing initiatives in the north.
Since its inception, thousands of people have passed through the Arctic Indigenous Wellness healing camp in Yellowknife, with similar initiatives appearing around the Northwest Territories. The organization is run by volunteers, and its funding is tied to reporting requirements, making it difficult to pay for core operations and staff.
The foundation also relies on an aging group of elders in residence. There are worries that as these elders get older, it may be more difficult for knowledge to be passed on, and for the foundation to create healing initiatives that are sustainable and built to last.
This transition will focus on capacity building and education surrounding health and wellbeing in the north, as well as building partnerships with other healing initiatives around the territory. By assisting other projects, the foundation hopes to help establish new camps, bringing service not just to the N.W.T, but to areas across Canada.
While the foundation will no longer provide individual healing services, they are still committed to helping the community, providing contacts to outside support groups and patient referrals as needed.
