About First Wellness, an indigenous youth treatment centre with a holistic approach to healing.
ABOUT US

First Wellness is licensed as a Residential Addictions Treatment Service Provider under Alberta’s Mental Health Services Protection Act. The program operates under Alberta’s Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions which is responsible for Alberta’s recovery-oriented system of addiction and mental health care, focused on prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery.

The program is located in Red Deer, Alberta and welcomes Indigenous youth from Alberta and extra provincially when endorsed by their community. Other team members are comprised of Allies including counsellors, overnight care providers and frontline support and administrative staff.

Red Road Sacred Journey

We honour the sacred journey of healing along the Red Road, a path deeply rooted in the holistic philosophy of many Indigenous peoples. Embracing this cultural wisdom, we provide a nurturing environment where Indigenous youth can embark on their personal journey towards wellness and wholeness. Through culturally relevant programming, compassionate care, and a commitment to holistic healing. We guide our youth along the sacred journey of the Red Road, supporting them as they reclaim their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Walking the Red Road means recognizing your equality with all living things and understanding that humanity does not confer superiority. It involves acknowledging that every creation - rivers, mountains, stones, trees, wind, and animals - hold its own wisdom and spirit, offering knowledge beyond human grasp. To walk the red Road is to embrace your rights: to pray, dance, think, protect, connect with Mother Earth, dream, learn, grieve, seek justice, and access the Spirit World.

It also means honouring your Ancestors and knowing you can call on them for guidance. This path encourages humility, and understanding that mistakes are part of the ongoing journey - the Sacred Hoop - and can be corrected. Without humility, you might not recognize your errors. Walking the Red Road teaches that every sorrow brings deeper understanding, and although not every challenge has an explanation, it can lead to growth. By walking this path, you seek beauty in all things and strive to live a good life.

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First Wellness, located in Red Deer, Alberta, is an indigenous youth treatment program created to empower young individuals to reclaim their narratives, celebrate their heritage, and forge a path towards holistic well-being.