Sector 3: Mental Health & Wellness Services

Addictions Services offers culturally sensitive, wholistic treatment for individuals experiencing substance use challenges. Grounded in both traditional and contemporary healing practices, this outpatient program addresses the full scope of a person’s wellness — mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual.

Services:

• Personalized treatment planning
• Support groups (e.g. Parents of Addicted Loved Ones)
• Family counseling
• Psychoeducational workshops (trauma, coping, addiction)
• Life skills training
• Cultural activities and teachings
• Referrals to additional community supports

Contact Addictions Services:

Kanonhkwa'tsheri:io Health Facility
31 Hilltop Drive, Kana:takon 
Akwesasne, QC H0M 1A0
Phone: 613-575-2341 ext. 3115
Email: addictions@akwesasne.ca 

Program Manager: Bonnie Bradley, CICSA, CFNHM
Supervisor: Mitchell Skidders

The Land-Based Healing (LBH) Program reconnects individuals with nature, identity, and cultural tradition as part of their healing journey. Rooted in Indigenous worldviews, LBH offers culturally grounded approaches to wellness that support individuals navigating addiction, mental health challenges, grief, and overall well-being.

Through land-based and cultural practices, the program provides opportunities to strengthen connection to land, language, and identity while supporting healing from intergenerational trauma and the impacts of colonization.

Practices & Services:

• Canoe journeys
• Cultural camps
• Sweat lodge ceremonies
• Fasting
• Harvesting and preparing traditional foods & medicines
• Condolence fires

Firewood and ceremony support is available to families and community members following the passing of a loved one, helping to support cultural practices during times of grief. To request firewood or ceremony support, please email landbasedhealing@akwesasne.ca and copy (CC) Wholistic Health & Wellness Program Manager Dennis (DJ) Danforth at dennis.danforth@akwesasne.ca. 

Why It Matters:

• Culturally safe and relevant healing
• Revitalization of language and cultural practices
• Connection to identity and land
• Addressing colonization and intergenerational trauma

Contact Land-Based Healing:

Phone: 613-575-2341 ext. 3100
Email: landbasedhealing@akwesasne.ca 
Email: dennis.danforth@akwesasne.ca  

The Mental Health Services team includes registered psychotherapists, social workers, an Ontario-licensed psychologist, and psychiatrist. These professionals work collaboratively through a wholistic, culturally competent model to support emotional and psychological wellbeing for Akwesasronon of all ages.

Key Features:

• Services rooted in Indigenous concepts of health
• Integration of traditional healing with clinical care
• Community outreach and crisis response
• Emphasis on reducing stigma and promoting regular mental health check-ins

Services:

• Individual counseling
• Group therapy
• Family support
• Youth-specific care
• Elder guidance
• Crisis intervention & debriefing
• Psychiatric consultation & psychological assessments
• Referrals to Land-Based Healing & Traditional Medicine

Contact Mental Health Services:

Kanonhkwa'tsheri:io Health Facility
31 Hilltop Drive, Kana:takon 
Akwesasne, QC H0M 1A0
Phone: 613-575-2341 ext. 3115
Fax: 613-575-1168
Email: mentalhealth@akwesasne.ca 

Program Manager: Alison Benedict, MSW, RSW

The Sahatiha'hará:ne Detox Center (SDC) provides safe, supportive detoxification and recovery services guided by both Indigenous and clinical approaches to healing. With around-the-clock care, clients are supported through withdrawal and into the next phase of their recovery journey.

SDC also offers community-based programming to help individuals build the skills, tools, and supports needed for ongoing recovery and relapse prevention.

Services & Supports:

• Medical monitoring of withdrawal
• Individual and group counseling
• Traditional healing practices
• Cultural activities
• Aftercare planning
• Family education and support
• Community-based recovery and relapse prevention programming

Healing Practices:

• Sweat lodge and smudging ceremonies
• Talking circles
• Sacred medicines and traditional teachings
• Indigenous language and food
• Elder involvement and referrals to additional supports

Daytox Programming:

Daytox is a community-based outpatient substance use recovery program for individuals looking to develop skills and tools for recovery and relapse prevention.

The program provides a safe and supportive space to explore triggers, patterns, and behaviours related to substance use. Through a multifaceted approach, participants can learn and apply strategies to manage cravings and triggers while receiving support from professionals and peers.

Daytox also provides accountability and emotional support to help participants stay on track with their recovery goals.

As additional programming becomes available, information will be shared with the community.

Contact the SDC:

Sahatiha'hará:ne Detox Center
44 James Lane, Kawehno:ke
Akwesasne, ON K6H 0G5 
Phone: 613-932-5050 

Traditional Medicines integrates Onkwehonwe healing with modern wellness care to support individuals through wholistic and culturally rooted services. Whether used on its own or alongside clinical treatments, it offers powerful guidance for spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental healing.

Healing Approaches May Include:

• Ceremonies and speeches
• Sacred medicines
• Smudging and sweat lodges
• Talking circles and teachings
• Natural remedies (plant-based, herbal)
• Mind-body practices: meditation, massage, acupuncture
• Dietary and lifestyle guidance
• Energy work and spiritual alignment

Elders and Healers are deeply involved in care and program design, and traditional language is honored and preserved throughout.

Contact Traditional Medicines: