Community healing within M’Chigeeng First Nation: a land-based healing and treatment centre

Abstract

Settler colonialism has had a profound and long-lasting effect on the health of Indigenous communities across Turtle Island. The resulting trauma has led to widespread substance use disorders leading many communities to respond through Land-based healing initiatives. Considering settler colonialism’s goal is to dispossess Indigenous peoples of their lands, Land-based practices contribute to healing and decolonization by restoring that connection with Land. Anishinaabek communities on Manitoulin Island have begun implementing land-based practices in multiple sectors including addictions treatment; however, there are only two local in-patient programs offering culturally grounded services. To combat long wait times and the need to travel off-island for treatment, more Indigenous-led treatment facilities are urgently required. Informed by conversations with local leadership and professionals, and partnering with community members Neil Debassige and Dianne Glasby-Debassige, this thesis proposes a design for a community-engaged and land- based in-patient healing and treatment centre on Lake Mindemoya, in M’Chigeeng First Nation.