Shäwthän Näzhì:Healing with the Land Society

Province: Yukon

Community: Whitehorse 

Shäwthän Näzhì Recovery Support Program

The Shäwthän Näzhì Recovery Support Program is an Indigenous-led initiative that supports Yukon First Nations peoples on their healing and recovery journeys through culturally grounded, land-based care.

Launched as a 12-month pilot project, the program was designed to support 10–12 Yukon First Nations individuals through weekly circles, weekend land-based experiences, traditional ceremonies, counselling, and wrap-around services tailored to each participant’s needs.

Grounded in Yukon First Nations language, culture, and traditions, the program builds on years of experience delivering land-based healing initiatives that address the root causes of intergenerational trauma.

Developed in collaboration with the Council of Yukon First Nations, the program sought to include participants and perspectives from across the Yukon, fostering community partnerships while creating a safe and supportive environment for healing.

Recovery is about more than sobriety.

It is about reconnecting with culture, strengthening relationships, and restoring a sense of belonging.

Through Indigenous knowledge, ceremony, and community, participants are supported in healing emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and physically.

The program’s impact has been significant.

Eighty percent of participants reported longer periods of sobriety, while 100% reported improvements in their mental and spiritual well-being.

Participants also described building healthier relationships, developing greater self-awareness, reconnecting with their cultural identity, and gaining the confidence to advocate for themselves and access support.

As participants continue their healing journeys, the benefits extend beyond the individual.

Stronger families, healthier relationships, and more resilient communities are helping create lasting change for future generations.