Celebrating Graduates of the Naatamawew Aftercare Program

On March 12, we proudly celebrated a meaningful milestone as four participants graduated from our second 10-day Land-Based Aftercare Pilot Project. This achievement reflects not only their commitment and resilience, but also the strength of culturally grounded healing approaches rooted in community, tradition, and connection to the land.

The program, named Naatamawew: Supporting Each Other, was held at Taykwa Tagamou Nation’s Veronica S. Archibald Kamik, a  healing and cultural learning lodge located at the Wade Lake, near Cochrane. This beautiful space provided the foundation for participants to immerse themselves fully in their healing journeys.

Throughout the program, participants engaged in cultural teachings such as pipe ceremonies and sweat lodge ceremonies. These experiences are central to grounding and healing practices, helping individuals reconnect with themselves, their communities, and their purpose.

Participants also began the Red Path Aftercare Program, which consists of 21 sessions across five modules. This program is designed to support long-term wellness by addressing the root causes of addictive behaviours while equipping participants with tools, knowledge, and support systems to sustain their healing. Over the coming weeks, participants will continue to the Red Path Aftercare Program with our team.

A key highlight of the program was an overnight camp experience, where participants had the opportunity to learn and practice traditional land-based skills. Activities such as ice fishing with nets and skinning martens provided hands-on learning while strengthening cultural identity. 

This recent graduation builds on the success of the first pilot project, which took place in September 2025 and saw seven individuals complete the program. Together, these initiatives continue to demonstrate the importance and effectiveness of land-based, culturally relevant approaches to aftercare and healing.

Their journeys of each participant are a powerful reminder that healing is not something we do alone, it is something we do together, by supporting one another every step of the way.

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