BC Women's Hospital + Health Centre (BCWH) and the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society have announced the launch of Tupa's Lodge, a new transitional housing site located on the unceded traditional territory of the Syilx/Okanagan Nation in Kelowna. Tupa's Lodge will offer essential support to Indigenous mothers, birthing parents, and their infants/children who have struggled with substance use and reside in the interior of the province. The facility has the capacity to accommodate eight residents.
This is the first housing resource of its kind in BC's Interior and will offer a culturally sensitive, trauma-informed and person-centred approach to service delivery. This includes integrating Indigenous traditions, cultures and values into services, including culturally-based health practices
The Province, through BC Housing, provided $1.8 million to purchase and renovate the building through a Building BC: Women's Transition Housing Fund grant and will provide $195,000 in annual operating funding. The federal government, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, provided $400,000 through the National Housing Co-Investment fund. The Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA) has partnered with BC Housing to support Indigenous-led organizations, including Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society, by offering expertise and culturally responsive support for operating agreements, asset management, and other services.
"Indigenous mothers and birthing parents living with addiction challenges need a safe, stable place to focus on their healing journey and parenting," said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. "Tupa's Lodge in Kelowna provides culturally sensitive and trauma-informed supports so parents can focus on their recovery and wellness while supporting their growing family."
Ravi Kahlon, B.C.'s Minister of Housing said, "These new homes will provide a helpful and safe place for Indigenous mothers, parents and their children to go during their time of need. Our government is committed to creating culturally sensitive transitional housing throughout the province, so people can feel at home during their healing. We are proud to provide help to make Tupa's Lodge a reality."
Joseph Lang, executive director of Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society said, "We are honored to be a partner in the creation of safe housing for new Indigenous birthing parents who have struggled with substance use. It is our goal to help mothers and birthing parents along in their healing journey and to support them develop the parenting skills needed to break the cycle of substance use and trauma. We want to help to keep Indigenous families together through very challenging situations. There has been enough loss for our community, and we sincerely thank our partners for helping to rebuild the lives of individuals and families."
Every year, BCWH's Families in Recovery program serves approximately 80 to 90 women and people who use substances, and their infants, while pregnant, during delivery and in the early parenting period. Based on over 20 years of delivering this service, BCWH leaders identified the significant need for Indigenous-specific resources in the community. In addition, Indigenous women and families are historically underserved by services and may face significant barriers when seeking services, including past trauma and/or lack of culturally appropriate supports. BCWH will fund Tupa's Lodge staffing, in addition to staff education and training specific to perinatal substance use, child health and community resourcing.
Speaking about the new housing resource, Darci Skiber, executive director, MHSU Programs + Initiatives, BCWH said, "Launching this resource required significant planning and coordination to ensure it meets the needs of Indigenous community members. We are so grateful for the team at Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society and their steadfast vision to make Tupa's Lodge a reality. Indigenous people and their families, have a right to culturally safe care and services that meet their unique needs. Taking an Indigenous-led approach, this housing resource will play a crucial role in supporting people and families during what can be one of the most challenging portions of their life journey – becoming a new parent while also prioritizing self-care."
As the provincial leader in perinatal substance use care, BCWH currently provides funding to 28 programs that support direct care, education, and research to advance how best to support pregnant people and new parents. This BCWH's program's main goal is to establish a blueprint for perinatal substance use care to initiate, expand, and improve services in community and hospitals across the province. For further information about this work, visit our website.
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Tiova De kok, project lead for Perinatal Substance Use Initiatives with Interior Health said, "Substance use among Indigenous birthers is influenced by factors such as racism, colonization, intergenerational trauma, and barriers to services, leading to stigma and fear of child removal. The launch of Tupa's Lodge will be fundamental in providing culturally safe, perinatal bed-based treatment, as well as promoting wellness and reducing systemic interactions within health care settings."
Dr. James Ketch, family physician & board member of Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society said, "Tupa's Lodge is a Home for Indigenous birthers who require support in their journey to recover from trauma and subsequent addictions in their life.. It is a home initiated, and managed by Indigenous Women for Indigenous Women in a Culturally Safe Holistic manner to prompt healing mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. In the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, this is a start of healing and recovery for the birthers that Tupa's Lodge will engage with."
Margaret Pfoh, CEO of the Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA) said, "AHMA celebrates our member, Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society for Tupa's Lodge and their expertise over 50 years of service to the community. Culturally supportive, trauma-informed approaches to housing save lives. It's a fact. Housing is healthcare, safety, and the foundation of wellbeing."
