Aklavik’s wellness centre offers support, friendship and healing

Aklavik’s wellness centre offers support, friendship and healing Eshana Gohil Tuesday September 15, 2026 at 4:57pm MT Dii K’anahtii Zheh Wellness Building in Aklavik. Photo: Submitted Share An Aklavik wellness building has been given a new name while offering a permanent space for residents to access healing, cultural and community programs. “The development of the wellness building was driven by the growing need for more space and a permanent home for programs that have been essential to the community members,” said Rita Arey, sub-chief of the Aklavik Indian Band, which operates the Dii K’anahtii Zheh Wellness Building. Dii K’anahtii Zheh means “caring house for everyone” in Gwich’in. The band already provided wellness services from the building, but the renaming and opening rededicates it to its focus on health, healing, family wellness and community support. The centre offers breakfast programs, cooking classes, workshops, family movie nights, Elders’ programming, cultural activities, anti-poverty supports, a food bank, social housing through the Northern Pathways to Housing program, an emergency shelter, a healing circle, and tipi talks. Advertisement. Advertisement. “The wellness centre belongs to the community,” said Arey. “It’s a place where people can come for support, friendship, healing, learning and connecting.” The Dii K’anahtii Zheh Wellness Building, which had its official opening on September 11, welcomes everyone in Aklavik, Arey said. Visitors from surrounding communities are also invited to participate in programming during the winter road season. The band hopes the space will help families, youth and Elders build healthier lives while strengthening connections to culture and one another, Arey said. Looking ahead, Arey said the band wants to offer additional cultural programs, land-based healing activities, youth and Elders’ camps, traditional skills workshops and year-round harvesting programs. Related Articles Aklavik opens emergency women’s shelter inside its wellness centre October 30, 2024 New building opens in Aklavik, offering help for homeless December 10, 2018 Entrepreneur hopes to create a safe space in Inuvik December 22, 2024 Top Stories RCMP arrest four suspects in relation to Inuvik shooting on Monday September 15, 2026 Soaring fuel costs send Yellowknife inflation to its highest since 2023 September 15, 2026 A quick guide to the Taltson hydro expansion September 15, 2026 In pictures: See who made a…