OKISIKOW ISKWEW CENTER

“Okisikow Iskwew” means “Strong Woman” in Nehiyawewin (Cree). The name was chosen in honour of a young woman whose strength, leadership, and unwavering spirit continue to inspire the work we do today. Her legacy lives on in the healing we offer to every young person who walks through our doors.

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 At OKI we believe that healing is ceremony, recovery is resistance and that coming home is sacred.

When a young person takes that step towards wellness, they are not weak- they are courageous. We are called to wrap them, feed them, smudge then and honour them. We then let them know, "you are loved, you are ours, you are home..."

Addiction is not a failure- it is a response based on trauma from cultural disconnection and cultural wounds. Our sovereignty as Indigenous people gives us the power to respond with culture, care and community. We believe healing belongs to the community and that all of us are the medicine.

OKI is a partnership between Frog Lake First Nation and Marcel Desjarlais, President of FNMI Group Care. The founding of OKI represents a desire to reclaim healing for Indigenous youth- especially for those that may have been placed into youth care. Using an evidence-based approach with traditional Nehiyew culture, traditions and ceremonies, OKI is committed to supporting the healing of our youth.