Healing lodges: A path to rehabilitation and reconnection
September 27, 2024

Healing lodges are a vital component of Canada’s correctional landscape. As part of the broader effort toward truth and reconciliation, the lodges prioritize healing, community, and respect for Indigenous culture.
They are more than just correctional facilities. They are also sanctuaries of transformation. Lodges address the root causes of criminal behavior, while providing culturally appropriate rehabilitation that help offenders reconnect with their heritage, heal from past traumas, and prepare for a positive future. They provide an opportunity for offenders to rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society as positive, contributing members.
Currently, there are 10 healing lodges across Canada funded and/or operated by CSC. Four of them are run solely by Correctional Service Canada (CSC), while others are managed by partner or community organizations.
Reconnecting through culture
At the heart of the philosophy around healing lodges is the belief that understanding one’s identity and cultural heritage can lead to meaningful change. For this to occur, Teddi Saddleback, acting executive director at Pê Sâkâstêw Centre in Mâskwâcîs in Alberta, emphasizes the importance of cultural reconnection to First Nations, Inuit, and Metis cultures and languages. She notes many men at the lodge have discovered aspects of their identity they were previously unaware of. This, in turn, helps them understand their past decisions and motivates them to change.
“If you have that identity, and you can relate to that and you can figure out who you are and where you come from - that’s so huge,” she says.
The lodge’s environment, which includes regular sweat lodge ceremonies and the harvesting of traditional Indigenous medicines, such as sage, aims to create a sense of respect and responsibility.


This process involves daily ceremonies, such as morning smudges and teachings from Elders, which motivates the men to embrace their heritage.
Teddi also emphasizes the importance of role modeling in this environment, encouraging staff members to participate in the same cultural practices as the residents. This approach not only fosters a sense of community but also prepares the men for life outside the lodge by teaching essential life skills and instilling personal accountability.
Healing through tradition and community
Randall Charlie, a correctional officer at Kwìkwèxwelhp Healing Village in Harrison Mills, British Columbia, has nearly 30 years of experience. He has been working at the Kwìkwèxwelhp Healing Village on Stó:lō traditional territory, extending from Yale to Langley, British Columbia, for over two decades. His background in Coast Salish Indigenous culture profoundly influences his approach to corrections.
Randall’s work involves facilitating cultural training for staff and developing recruitment strategies for Indigenous correctional officers, reflecting his lifelong commitment to integrating traditional ways of life into the correctional system.
The village’s fenceless structure, resembling a community more than a prison, allows residents to engage deeply with their cultural practices. Randall highlights the importance of ceremonies held in the traditional longhouse with a dirt floor. Here both residents and the community gather, fostering a sense of belonging and continuity.
Residents undergo a process of self-discovery and healing, guided by Elders, ceremonies, and cultural teachings. This approach is particularly impactful for those who have experienced significant trauma, such as survivors of the Sixties Scoop and the residential schools.
To Randall, the success of healing lodges is evident in the transformation of many offenders. He shares stories of offenders who, after engaging deeply with the cultural and spiritual programs at the lodge, have successfully reintegrated into society, built families, and shed their former criminal past.

“I talked to a few guys last week and you’d never guess they were previously incarcerated. That is what drives me,” says Randall.
“The success stories realize where they are and what they need to do. They actually understand what happened and learn what they need to learn to help them heal. They get out and don’t come back. And that’s the ultimate goal.”
The role of Elders
Elders play a central role in the healing process at these lodges. They provide guidance, share cultural teachings, and support offenders in their healing journey. Randall recounts how specific Elders have helped offenders understand their past traumas and begin the process of healing.
“I think their biggest ‘Aha’ moments are when they get to speak to a certain Elder who gives them more information that makes them change the way they live their life and start doing it in a different way,” he says.
The involvement of the local Indigenous community is also critical. Community members often act as role models and support the offenders’ reintegration. This community-based approach helps offenders feel a sense of belonging and accountability, which can be a powerful motivator for change.
Teaching practical skills and personal responsibility
Healing lodges also prepare residents for reintegration into society by teaching practical skills and promoting personal responsibility. Programs that develop real-life skills, such as budgeting, cooking, and maintaining a schedule, equip residents with the tools they need to succeed outside the lodge. The incorporation of cultural teachings ensures that residents leave with a strong sense of identity and purpose.

“Every resident meets with one of the five Elders we have here to go through what’s called a solemn agreement. They basically talk about their commitment, because being here should be treated like a ceremony. And everything we do in ceremonies is about commitment and following through to the end,” says Teddi.
Residents must report daily from eight a.m. to four p.m. to designated areas of work, such as food services or maintenance. Following a schedule and learning transferable skills is essential to their reintegration.
“My experience has been that the men know what they have here,” Teddi says. “And when you're actually trying to make that change, you're working towards reintegration and getting back to your home community, you realize what you could lose. So, there is a lot at stake for them.”
Broader implications

The benefits of healing lodges extend beyond the residents to the broader community. By fostering a sense of respect and responsibility, these institutions contribute to the healing of communities affected by crime. Community service initiatives and restorative justice practices help residents give back and seek forgiveness, further reinforcing their commitment to positive change.
Residents who engage with the cultural teachings and practices often leave with a renewed sense of purpose and a commitment to living differently. These transformations, while not universal, offer hope and validate healing lodges as a model for addressing systemic issues within the criminal justice system.
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