heal and learn collectively

To retreat is to draw back from a situation or environment that no longer feels safe. In our organization, we see it as an opportunity to take time to breath and reground yourself so that you are better equipped to handle life's challenges. To make a choice to go into a new environment where you have physical and psychological safety to recharge your spirit and unplug from the challenges of day to day life to reconnect to the land. In logistical terms, what this looks and feels like is staying onsite in our location while you are taking courses to learn and grow to be able to face your daily challenges head on and move to the other side where you can live a meaningful, purposeful life. 

As a social economic model, we are working into having our own source funding but currently do not. Typically learners can advocate to be funded through their Nations usually if they are involved with Children and Family Services (Prevention or Protection), Jordan's Principle, private funding or for some of our courses, the Canada Alberta Job Grant is applicable. Please reach out to us for any support you need for funding and we will do our best to advocate and support you.

We believe that in order to learn and grow while healing, a clear mind is what best supports us in this path. We do ask that all learners maintain sobriety while in any of our courses. You will be drug tested upon arrival to ensure you are in the best frame of mind to participate and random drug tests will be conducted to support you to stay in this frame of mind while you are learning with us. External and internal supports are accessible to support being sober while you are in your stay or time with us. If a learner is not able to maintain sobriety, referrals may be made to an addictions treatment centre prior or during your stay with us and the referral process will be supported by your assigned Learner Navigators. As an important part of our curriculum involves cultural ceremonies and activities, it is also required to respect to that sobriety is important for those experiences. 

Our retreat experiences include your meals and rooming needs as well as towels and laundry facilities. You are only responsible to bring your personal items such as clothing, hygiene products, appropriate outdoor wear and healthy recreation items such as books, art, journalling etc. We do limit the use of phones and electronic devices to 5 hours on Saturday in the initial program of Breathe so that you can  be fully present in the experience and not distracted by outside influences. All other programs allow you to have access to your electronics.

 We ask that you avoid bringing certain items such as; large sums of money, provocative clothing, inappropriate logos or gang support shirts, scented products, expensive items or jewelry, electronics  and pets. 

No visits will be approved within the first two weeks as our goal is to get you settled and breathing. Beyond the first two weeks, when you arrive into your program, you will be assigned a Learner Navigator who will assist you with setting up family visits with your children depending on the circumstances of your guardianship arrangements and family dynamics. Additional family member visits will be evaluated on a case by case basis as well as any off site visits.