Welcome to Nightwind Treatment Centre
A safe, compassionate space where Indigenous youth can heal, grow, and reclaim their futures. We honour culture, embrace hope, and walk alongside every young person on their journey toward well-being.
Through a blend of evidence-based practices and Indigenous healing traditions, we empower youth to develop resilience, build healthy relationships, and create meaningful lives.
Welcome to Nightwind Treatment Centre
A safe, compassionate space where Indigenous youth can heal, grow,
and reclaim their futures. We honour culture, embrace hope,
and walk alongside every young person on their
journey toward well-being.
Through a blend of evidence-based practices and
Indigenous healing traditions, we empower youth
to develop resilience, build healthy relationships,
and create meaningful lives.
Our Programs
Every young person deserves a place where they're truly seen, heard, and supported. At NWTC, we create healing spaces across rural Alberta where youth ages 8 to 18 can rediscover their strength, rebuild their futures, and reconnect with hope. Our trauma-informed programs meet young people exactly where they are—offering not just a safe haven, but a transformative journey toward lasting change and belonging.
Kihew House
Sturgeon County9-bed rural treatment program for youth ages 8–18
Supports young women with a history of abuse, substance use, and family conflict
Referrals:
Designated First Nations Authorities, Jordan's Principle, Private Referral. Accepts out of province referrals.
Program Features:
Grounded in Indigenous cultural teachings and experiences. Treatment is aligned with the medicine wheel and the seven sacred teachings.
Best Fit:
- •Youth aged 8–18 with substance use or addiction issues, conflict with family, history of abuse
- •Mild to moderate mental health issues (e.g., anxiety, depression, impulsivity, attachment, abandonment, poor communication, suicidal ideation)
- •Youth who are uncertain but open to change and motivated to explore how treatment can support their long-term goals
Not a Good Fit:
- •Youth requiring a secure or locked environment
- •History of physical or sexual violence against other females
- •Currently under the influence of substances and requiring medically supervised detox
- •Diagnosed or suspected personality disorders
- •Youth with physical disabilities who cannot navigate stairs
Thunderbird Landing
Westlock County4-bed receiving and assessment program for co-ed youth ages 12–18
Short-term stabilization and assessment for youth in crisis
Referrals:
Designated First Nations Authorities, Jordan's Principle, Private Referral. Accepts out of province referrals.
Program Features:
Rapid intake for immediate support. Focus on stabilization, structure, safety, and comprehensive needs assessment. Helps prepare youth for future treatment options.
Best Fit:
- •Youth in immediate crisis who are open to starting a healing journey
- •Youth who have not been successful in past placements due to timing or readiness
Not a Good Fit:
- •Youth who do not consent to treatment or placement
- •Youth with violent behaviour towards others that requires more than 1:1 or secure care
Grandmother Turtle House
Westlock4-bed small-town TSIL (Transition to Semi-Independent Living) program for youth ages 13–18
Supports youth transitioning out of treatment and into greater independence
Referrals:
Designated First Nations Authorities, Jordan's Principle, Private Referral. Accepts out of province referrals.
Program Features:
Focus on life skills, employment readiness, education success, and independent living preparation. Provides a safe, structured, but freedom-oriented environment.
Best Fit:
- •Youth ages 13–18 who have completed treatment at NWTC or another recognized program
- •Need a supportive setting to develop independent living skills
- •Have strategies for managing challenges and are ready for more independence
- •Youth who are being prepared to live independently
Not a Good Fit:
- •Youth requiring a secure or locked environment
- •Youth with recent violent behaviour toward others
- •Youth actively using substances or requiring detox
*Note: With notice, GMT can accommodate youth with physical disabilities
Stony Creek
Tawatinaw Valley7-bed rural co-ed group care program for youth ages 8–18
Supports youth with a history of abuse, substance use, and family conflict
Referrals:
Referrals from the North Region of Child and Family Services only
Program Features:
Integrates agricultural programming for healing, structure, and hands-on skill-building. Strong emphasis on active daily routines. Inclusive and supportive space for youth questioning their sexual identity.
Best Fit:
- •Youth with substance use or addiction issues, family conflict, history of abuse
- •Mild to moderate mental health issues
- •Youth who benefit from routine, physical activity, and engagement with animals
- •Youth who are open to change and ready to explore personal growth
Not a Good Fit:
- •Youth requiring a secure or locked environment
- •History of violence / sexual violence against peers (males or females)
- •Currently under the influence of substances and requiring medically supervised detox
- •Diagnosed or suspected personality disorders
- •Youth with physical disabilities who cannot navigate stairs
Strong Lodge Program
Westlock (Personalized Care Program within GMT)1-bed specialized, high-needs residential treatment program for youth ages 8–18
Youth with severe behavioural, emotional, or mental health challenges requiring 2:1 staffing
Referrals:
Referrals from the North Region of Child and Family Services only
Program Features:
Embedded in the Grandmother Turtle House setting. Trauma-informed, culturally grounded care with high levels of individualized support. Emphasis on safety, stabilization, and relational healing.
Best Fit:
- •Youth with complex needs who have not succeeded in traditional group care environments
- •Youth who require intensive therapeutic intervention in a calm, structured setting
Not a Good Fit:
- •Youth who require a secure or locked environment
- •Youth who are actively violent or unsafe to be cared for in a small residential setting
Therapeutic Foster Care
North Region6-beds providing direct care in foster family homes for youth ages 8–18
Supports youth with a history of abuse, substance use, and family conflict who will benefit from care in a family setting
Referrals:
Referrals from the North Region of Child and Family Services only
Program Features:
Programs have no more than 2 beds providing care for youth within trained and experienced foster family homes. Individualized treatment delivered in a nurturing family environment. Wraparound supports provided by NWTC clinical team including case management, therapy, and cultural support. Homes matched based on youth needs, caregiver strengths, and cultural context.
Best Fit:
- •Trauma histories including abuse, neglect, or exposure to violence
- •Attachment challenges or disrupted family relationships
- •Mild to moderate behavioural or mental health concerns
- •Youth who would benefit from a consistent caregiver relationship and a quieter, less stimulating environment than group care
Not a Good Fit:
- •Youth who require a secure or locked environment
- •Youth who are actively violent or unsafe to be cared for in residential setting