Colin's Story

Arriving at Simon House was one of the bravest things I've ever done. I was desperate to get sober, but I felt lost and alone, without any sense of direction or spirituality. It was there that I met Elder Marsha, an Indigenous Elder at Simon House. In a short amount of time, my respect for her grew. At first, I was unsure how to approach her as a non-Indigenous person, but she kindly accepted my request to talk and invited me to join her in smudging. 

Elder Marsha patiently explained to me the meaning of smudging and answered my questions, which made me even more curious about Indigenous culture. I always had an interest in Indigenous ways but had never found myself in a situation like this, with someone from whom I could learn so much.

Elder Marsha was kind enough to share stories passed down to her from generations, and her words and teachings helped me understand and respect the culture even more. As time passed, I felt more connected to myself and others.

Simon House offered many opportunities for spiritual healing, but it was the Indigenous culture that resonated with me the most. I started attending weekly drum circles and was welcomed into healing sessions with Knowledge Keepers and Elders, which taught me more than I ever thought possible. When I participated in activities, I would find myself looking around at the different cultures that were all there, drumming and singing together. I felt so welcomed by my new friends, it struck a chord.

Attending Sweats with other clients on First Nations Lands helped me heal from my past traumas and learn to trust again. I've started speaking up more and working on things that were keeping me sick for so long. I'm now proud of who I am, and I'm grateful for the healthy relationships and support that I've found at Simon House. When I stand in front of a mirror, I no longer avoid my reflection. Instead, I stand tall and smile, because I’ve come further than I would have thought possible.

Completing treatment at Simon House has been a life-changing experience. I'm a new person, and I'm grateful for the chance to build a better future for myself and my family. Thank you, Simon House Recovery Centre, for giving me the opportunity to heal and start anew — for this I’m forever grateful.

— Colin