Two Gladue Caseworkers, Kristal Nahmabin (Sarnia catchment Caseworker), and Connie General (Correctional Liaison Caseworker), attended a three-day Referral Workshop at Native Horizons Treatment Centre (NHTC) on Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation in Hagersville, Ontario. The workshop ran from July 25-27, 2024.
Attendees learned how to correctly complete the detailed, thirty-five-page application, which the NHTC staff has identified as the most common mistake made when applying. The programs offered and the program modalities used were also explained. A demonstration of an emotional release, a practice regularly completed by attendees of the treatment centre, by a staff member was viewed by the group and we were cautioned about the trigger effects of the exercise. It was difficult to not be emotionally affected during this release to see and feel the pain the individual was going through but is an important part of the healing. Almost like screaming into a pillow, this technique takes release to another level, it may take a few small releases before the big release can be achieved.
NHTC’s program runs in cycles and is a residential six-week program that starts on Sundays with a graduation ceremony at the end of the six weeks upon successful completion of the program.
During the program, participants engage in intense inner-child work involving trauma-based programming, psychodramatic and emotional releases, sweat lodge ceremonies, land-based activities, role play, and cultural teachings. There is even some time for fun, playing games such as hide and seek within the building.
This was a valuable opportunity for attendees. When we refer our clients to the facility for treatment, we now have first-hand knowledge of what they can expect from attending the program. This allows for a more trauma-informed approach to collaborating on sentencing recommendations, allowing clients to trust us more fully and make the recommendation more meaningful for the client and Court.
Desiree Duplessis