Orca Lelum Wellness Centre: Community Update
As spring unfolds, Orca Lelum Wellness Centre is honoured to share the latest updates on our journey of supporting Indigenous youth in their healing and wellness.
A Home for Healing: Major Achievements
Our 18-bed healing facility, which was officially licensed as a community care facility in July 2024, has become a space of deep restoration and cultural connection for young spirits. The facility features a multi-use studio space, gym access, workout room, sauna, campfire area, smokehouse, cedar room for group work, meditation space, a dedicated art space, and a commercial kitchen.
“The opening of this facility was a long-awaited milestone,” shares Emmy Manson, Director of Orca Lelum Wellness Centre. “We envisioned a space where young warriors could come to heal, reconnect with their roots, and rediscover their strength. Seeing that vision come to life has been truly inspiring.” On August 7, 2024, we officially opened our doors with a community celebration, marking a new chapter for Indigenous-led healing. Since then, we have successfully completed two 10-week programs in 2024, with seven graduates moving forward on their wellness journeys.
“Our young spirits are the heart of this program. Every individual who walks through our doors carries a story of strength and survival. Our role is to provide them with the tools, community, and cultural connection to help them walk forward in wellness”
Looking ahead for 2025, our focus remains on enhancing our programs and strengthening our team. We are actively recruiting for healthcare and cultural staff, and will be introducing Art Therapy and Occupational Therapy this year.
Our Strengths
At the core of our approach is a deep commitment to Indigenous-led, culturally centered healing.
Cultural Connection & Identity Restoration: Healing is guided by traditional knowledge, Elders, and cultural coordinators. Daily prayers, singing, drumming, and ceremonies allow young warriors to reconnect with their identity.
Land-Based Healing: Our programs emphasize the power of nature and ancestral lands in the recovery process, offering grounding and strength to those on their healing path.
Holistic Approach: Recognizing that healing involves the heart, mind, body, and spirit, we ensure our treatments address all aspects of well-being.
As we look to the future, we remain deeply grateful for our community, staff, and supporters. “This work is not done alone,” reflects Manson. “It takes a community to lift each other up, and we are so thankful for those who continue to walk alongside us.”
For ongoing updates and ways to support our mission, please visit here . Together, we will continue creating spaces of healing, growth, and cultural resurgence.
More articles and stories available in our 2025 Spring Newsletter