Introduction

The Charles J Andrew Youth Treatment Centre opened in 2000 in response to a crisis of gas-sniffing and suicides among Innu youth in Sheshatshiu, Labrador.

The Centre is a ten bed residential youth healing Centre for female and male youth between the ages of 11-17 and serves Innu, Inuit, and First Nations youth from Atlantic Canada and across Canada.

The main goal of the 16-week program is to assist adolescents in regaining their self confidence through an addictions treatment program designed to help them become healthy independent adults.

The Centre’s mission is to empower Aboriginal youth by providing a holistic healing treatment program, which strengthens and renews Aboriginal culture, practices, beliefs and values of respect, trust, sharing, acceptance and cooperation.

Why is it called Charles J. Andrew?

The late Charles J. Andrew was known as

"Shiashushep" in Innu Eimun. He was one of the

few founding members of addictions prevention and

treatment programs in the community of

Sheshatshiu. He worked effortlessly with community

members and became a role model for youth.

Shiashushep dedicated most of his time to helping

others.

When the thought of a treatment Centre had been

developed in the community of Sheshatshiu, there

was absolutely no question that it would be named