How the Urban Aboriginal Community Members and Clients of the Friendship Centre in Saskatoon Understand Addictions Recovery

Abstract

Addictions recovery is a significant policy issue concerning governance in Aboriginal communities, Saskatchewan, and Canada at large. Aboriginal Friendship Centres are priority areas for improving access to addictions recovery programs and assistance. This article addresses the following priority areas identified by the Saskatoon Aboriginal Friendship Centre and the urban Aboriginal community of Saskatoon in regards to addictions recovery: impoverishment, food shortages, homelessness, and the problem of growing Aboriginal incarceration rates. This study is qualitative in nature and highlights the factors critical to a developing addictions recovery interpretation through the stories of Aboriginal clients who use the services of the Friendship Centre. The article concludes with recommendations that will assist in the development of policy concerning urban Aboriginal issues.