Poundmakers Lodge Treatment Centres
Within a year or so the program was relocated to the site of the former Edmonton Indian Residential School near St. Albert. The treatment program operated in the school until 1984 when a new centre was built on the same site where it has provided continuous addictions treatment since. The name was changed to Poundmakers Lodge Treatment Centres (PLTC) in 2000 to reflect current operations.
Poundmaker’s Lodge is known as Canada’s first addictions treatment centre specifically for Aboriginal clients. It has been in operation for more than 30 years. Poundmaker’s Lodge was named after Chief Poundmaker of Saskatchewan, a prominent leader of the Treaty 6 territory, who was known for his wisdom and leadership.
National and International Clients
The Establishment of Poundmakers Lodge
It is to the credit of a concerned group of Aboriginal people in the early 1970s who worked to lobby governments for support of their vision. Fully aware of how social problems were affecting Aboriginal people, but more specifically the devastating impacts of alcohol and drugs they formed a society to address these concerns. The first signatories to the society’s bylaws signed on April 4, 1973 were Wilton Littlechild, Christine Daniels (deceased), Madeline Stout, Kathleen Anderson, and Louis Halfe (deceased). These visionary people need to be acknowledged for their legacy that lives on and also to Eric Shirt and Eric Stamp whose tireless work for the society resulted in the opening of the treatment program in a small house in downtown Edmonton with 14 beds and seven (7) staff .
Everyone is Welcome!
Over time PLTC has earned a reputation for helping Aboriginal people overcome the effects of addiction. Groups from around the globe have participated in treatment, studied our methods, and applied them to programs in their own countries. We continue to welcome international clients.
It is also important to note that while our program focuses on Aboriginal culture and spirituality, its principles are universal. Clients from all cultures, traditions and faiths are welcome.
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