ENOCH CREE NATION (RAJEEV SHARMA): Construction has been completed on a new 75-bed addiction recovery facility in Enoch Cree Nation, marking another step in Alberta’s efforts to expand treatment services through Indigenous-led, culturally grounded care.
The Enoch maskêkosihk Recovery Community has received $35 million in provincial capital funding, along with ongoing operational support. Once fully operational, the centre is expected to serve up to 300 people annually, offering treatment at no cost to clients and their families.
Developed in partnership with the provincial government, the facility is owned and managed by Enoch Cree Nation. Its services will reflect community priorities, cultural traditions and local governance while following Alberta’s recovery community model.
The centre is the third of five Indigenous-led recovery communities being established across the province.
Treatment to Begin in December
The first clients are expected to enter the facility in December. Participants will have access to comprehensive, evidence-based addiction treatment for stays of up to one year.
The programme will focus on helping individuals address substance use, improve their overall well-being and develop the practical skills needed to sustain long-term recovery. Services will be available to Indigenous people and others living in the Edmonton region.
Maskêkosihk Recovery Community Ltd. will deliver the treatment programme, incorporating the Nation’s culture, ceremonies, identity and connections to family and community into the recovery process.
Indigenous Culture at the Centre of Recovery
Enoch Cree Nation Chief Cody Thomas said the facility represents an investment in the well-being of the community and future generations.
He emphasised that recovery involves more than physical healing, highlighting the importance of reconnecting with culture, family and spiritual traditions while helping individuals regain hope and purpose.
Thomas said people receiving care at the centre should feel valued, welcomed and supported throughout their recovery journey.
Indigenous Relations Minister Rajan Sawhney also welcomed the completion of the project, describing the facility as a place where people can pursue treatment while maintaining connections with the relationships and traditions that support them.
Alberta Expands Addiction Treatment Capacity
Mental Health and Addiction Minister Rick Wilson said the new facility would give more people access to the support needed to address addiction and rebuild their lives.
The provincial government has committed approximately $180 million in capital funding toward five recovery communities developed in partnership with Indigenous communities. Budget 2026 also includes nearly $30 million in operating funding for the initiative.
Once all five facilities are operational, they are expected to add more than 375 beds to Alberta’s addiction treatment system and collectively support up to 1,500 people each year.
Part of Alberta’s Recovery Model
Recovery communities form a key component of the Alberta Recovery Model, which provides residential addiction treatment without charging clients or their families.
Alongside treatment for substance use, participants can work on healthy routines, social skills, overall wellness and employment-related training. The programme is designed to help people build the stability and support networks needed to continue recovery after leaving the facility.
For Indigenous-led centres such as the Enoch maskêkosihk Recovery Community, traditional approaches to healing are incorporated alongside treatment services, helping participants strengthen their relationships with their culture and communities.
With construction now complete and the first admissions expected in December, the Enoch facility is preparing to provide additional treatment options for people seeking recovery in the Edmonton area.
