PoundmakerSA国际影视传媒檚 Lodge Treatment Centre, an addiction treatment facility in Sturgeon County Alta., is being investigated on allegations of staff sexually harassing treatment patients. 

The treatment centre, which caters specifically to Indigenous clients, is one of six southern treatment facilities in contract with the NWT department of Health and Social Services (HSS). Last year, of the 192 NWT patients travelling south for treatment, 92 of them attended PoundmakerSA国际影视传媒檚. Of the 55 NWT residents who have sought treatment so far this year, 23 of them attended PoundmakerSA国际影视传媒檚. 

On Nov. 20, Patty Piche, a resident of Edmonton, received a call from her sister who is in treatment at PoundmakerSA国际影视传媒檚. PicheSA国际影视传媒檚 sister said that her and an Elder had been talking just the two of them in a room when the man expressed having SA国际影视传媒渄esiresSA国际影视传媒� beyond just his wife and asked if she wanted to see him naked. Piche said the man began to force himself on her sister who ran out of the room and informed other staff members. The other PoundmakerSA国际影视传媒檚 employees apparently told the woman to keep quiet about the incident. 

SA国际影视传媒 is choosing not to name the alleged offender as investigations are ongoing. 

On Nov. 23 Piche took to Facebook to post about her sisterSA国际影视传媒檚 experience. As of Dec. 3 had 376 reactions, 84 comments and more than 1,100 shares. Since posting, Piche said at least 15 others have come forward about their own experiences of harassment at the treatment facility. 

SA国际影视传媒淭hese people are vulnerable and in that program to help better themselves,SA国际影视传媒� Piche said. SA国际影视传媒淭hey're all fighting their own battles and going there for help and being put through more trauma.SA国际影视传媒�

On Nov. 27, Poundmaker's Lodge published a addressing SA国际影视传媒渁 Facebook postSA国际影视传媒� that SA国际影视传媒渕ade false accusations against PoundmakerSA国际影视传媒檚 Lodge Treatment Centres.

SA国际影视传媒淧oundmakerSA国际影视传媒檚 Lodge Treatment Centres is dedicated to ensuring that it is a place for healing, wellness and spirituality,SA国际影视传媒� the post states. SA国际影视传媒淧oundmakerSA国际影视传媒檚 Lodge Treatment Centres has in place policies and procedures designed to provide a safe and healthy environment for their clients and staff and remains in compliance with provincial legislation. We take all concerns seriously and ensure prompt appropriate action is taken.

SA国际影视传媒淲e pride ourselves in supporting those we serve.SA国际影视传媒�

Poundmaker's spokerperson Libby Szarka told SA国际影视传媒 that the staff member in question is no longer an employee of the treatment centre. She said that Poundmaker's "primary focus continues to be providing support to our clients in care."

On claims that other staff members instructed the alleged victim to keep the incident to herself, Szarka said "at no time whatsoever would a client be silenced. Clients are encouraged to seek out staff for support as part of the therapeutic process."

"The treatment team is comprised of therapists, psychologists, social workers, nurses, and consellors who are all bound by their respective regulatory bodies," she said.

HSS spokesperson Damien Healy advised that the department has followed up with NWT clients at PoundmakerSA国际影视传媒檚 Lodge and all have confirmed their intention to continue treatment. 

SA国际影视传媒淲e have encouraged clients to bring any complaints forward to the appropriate channels,SA国际影视传媒� he said, adding that there are SA国际影视传媒渙ther options if clients prefer another one of our southern treatment facilities.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淲e will continue to monitor the situation and take any action to ensure our NWT clients remain safe in their recovery process,SA国际影视传媒� he said. 

In response to PoundmakerSA国际影视传媒檚 statement, Piche said her comments are all based on peopleSA国际影视传媒檚 testimonies that she is SA国际影视传媒渏ust voicing for them.

SA国际影视传媒淲hy would any of these people lie?SA国际影视传媒�

When it's the victimsSA国际影视传媒� word against the staff, Piche said the addiction centre clients may struggle with credibility.

SA国际影视传媒淭his is why they all stay quiet, they think no one is going to believe them.SA国际影视传媒�

PicheSA国际影视传媒檚 sister is still a client at the facility. She is set to complete her treatment on Dec. 9 so Piche said she is SA国际影视传媒渢rying to stick it out so she doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 have to start from square one again (at another treatment centre).SA国际影视传媒�

Lillian Shirt, PicheSA国际影视传媒檚 late grandmother, was one of PoundmakerSA国际影视传媒檚 co-founders.

Of the treatment centre, Piche said SA国际影视传媒渢here are good workers there for sure,SA国际影视传媒� but that if her grandmother were still alive SA国际影视传媒渟he would have had this all over everywhere.SA国际影视传媒�

While investigations continue, Piche encourages others to speak up and come forward if they have experiences to share. 

SA国际影视传媒淭his has to stop,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淧eople are going there for help and it just needs to stop.SA国际影视传媒� 

Editor's note: A previous version of this story contained a photo of a different treatment centre. We apologize for the error.