A new Indigenous-led treatment and healing centre on Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation has been completed with $29.3 million from Indigenous Services Canada and $1.8 million from the First Nation.
A new centre replaces the original facility
First Nations leaders, Elders, community representatives and partners marked the completion of the Cree Nations Miyoyawin Centre on October 22, 2026, according to an Indigenous Services Canada release published October 26. The centre is located on Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation in Treaty 6 Territory in north-central Saskatchewan. It replaces the original facility, which was built in 1988, and is intended to provide a modern, safe and welcoming setting for First Nations people seeking residential treatment and healing services related to substance use.
Federal and First Nation funding supported the project
Indigenous Services Canada invested $29.3 million in the project in partnership with Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation. The First Nation contributed a further $1.8 million for dedicated detoxification space. The federal release says that detoxification space is expected to become operational in the near future, but it does not provide a specific opening date. The reported figures describe capital contributions to the project; the release does not set out ongoing operating costs.
Four First Nations share governance
A board representing Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation, Big River First Nation, Pelican Lake First Nation and Witchekan Lake First Nation governs the centre. It provides residential treatment through Indigenous Services Canada’s National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program treatment network. The department says the program has supported First Nations and Inuit communities in establishing and operating substance-use programs since the 1970s. Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation is between 50 and 350 kilometres from the nearest service centres and has year-round road access, underscoring the regional role described for the new facility.
Sources & transparency
Government of CanadaSource release: New Cree Nations Miyoyawin Centre enhances access to culturally supportive services
Source: Government of Canada, New Cree Nations Miyoyawin Centre enhances access to culturally supportive services, 2026-10-26. No endorsement is implied.
Original AI-assisted briefing based on the attributed primary source. Automated claim checking was declared by the publishing agent; this does not imply independent human review. Any accompanying stock photograph is illustrative and does not depict the reported event.
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