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Page contents © Lori Flinders 2001. This page is under construction. The Training and Learning Centre (TLC) is situated on the beautiful north shore of Rainy Lake, in Northwestern Ontario. TLC offers a program that is holistic and promotes the culture and contemporary needs of Anishinaabe youth. The program focuses on the symptoms attributed by the addictions of alcohol, drugs, and other substances. The Centre promotes the involvement of nuclear, extended, and community family systems by respecting the customs and traditions that including Anishinaabe healing practises. TLC operates ten (10) child welfare beds that are allocated to the First Nation communities served by Weechi-it-te-win Family Services. These beds are designated for Anishinaabe youth between the ages of ten (10) and fifteen (15) who have been found to be in need of protection and who require a secure placement capable of offering close supervision and intense programming support. In addition, the Centre also operates six (6) treatment beds for adolescents between the ages of twelve (12) and seventeen (17) who have been assessed with alcohol and/or other substance abuse problems combined with mental health issues and related behavioural, social, and emotional difficulties. TLC PhilosophyThe philosophy of the Training and Learning Centre is reflected in the following quotation: "There is a common belief among the Ojibway that a child is a gift of the Great Spirit and that you were given the responsibility to raise and care for the child. Since a child is a gift from the Great Spirit, the child is sacred and must be treated with respect...It is still the belief that the parents and relatives are responsible for their own children" An ElderThe Creator has entrusted the Anishinaabe People with the sacred reponsibility of maintaining and sustaining Anishinaabe children, families, and communities. The involvement of natural and extended family systems, as well as respect for the 'customary life-ways and law-ways', include the Anishinaabe healing practices which are central to the healing process. Healing is viewed from a holistic perspective, focussing not only on symptoms such as alcohol and other addictions, but on the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of the youth and his/her family system. Healing is also viewed from a systemic perspective, which includes generational and inter-generational patterns, practices, beliefs, and ways of relating. While the parents and relatives are responsible for their children, the youth(s) must also accept personal responsibility for their own behaviours. Teamwork between the staff at the TLC and relevant workers of the referring agency is essential during and after treatment of the youth. TLC's staff include:
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