Neecheewam’s Operational Overview
The Indigenous worldview of knowing one’s relationship to all things (wakhotowin: the way of being and pimatizowin: a good life) is the cornerstone of Neecheewam’s success.
This premise of relationship stems from self-awareness, the ability to focus on our strengths and at the same time, accepting oneself while mapping opportunities to change our own behaviour and outcomes of our decisions.
Our team’s intention is to meet youth where they are at and accept them completely without judgement. We want to ensure each person feels valued. We offer youth a safe place that allows for growth, so when they are ready, we can help them find their way. As adults, we know growth can be a painful process.
Growth usually happens out of darkness; we are motivated by painful situations and realities. This pain ignites a willingness to change. However, this can be a difficult time in a young person’s life. Our role is to hold space for them and allow for an environment that promotes healing through a balance of relationship, creativity, healthy activity, stillness, and introspection. We want to show them it’s okay to be who they are, and to grow into the people they aspire to be. We give them space to be themselves, and out of that will come their own desire for growth and stability. Through healing they will gain the ability to love themselves.
How we Operate
Neecheewam is a non-profit organization that has been in operation since April of 1976. We are governed by a Board of Directors comprised of individuals from varying fields, and representing Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and interests.
The ongoing affairs of the program are coordinated by the Co-Executive Directors through Program Managers and Supervisors assigned to each treatment program. An additional complement of trained Youth Care Practitioners in each facility provides the primary counseling service.
Ensuring the development and recruitment of new staff, Neecheewam offers various training programs and practicum experiences to students.
Each treatment program offered by Neecheewam is licensed by the Province of Manitoba. Standards and quality of service are assured through regular monitoring, fire and health inspections, and program evaluations. Annual issuance of a license is contingent upon satisfactory performance in each of these responsibilities.
