On April 4, 2025, the Tla’amin Nation marked a transformative milestone with the ceremonial opening of t̓ɛχɛθot (pronounced “teh-heh-thot”), a pioneering complex care housing initiative designed to provide stability, healing, and dignity for citizens navigating mental health and substance use challenges. The name, meaning “to warm oneself by the fire,” embodies the program’s mission to reignite hope and connection through culturally grounded care. This achievement underscores the power of collaboration between Indigenous leadership, healthcare providers, and innovative partners like Arcwell Developments Inc.
A Turn-Key Triumph: Arcwell’s Comprehensive Role
Arcwell Developments Inc. played a pivotal role in bringing t̓ɛχɛθot to life, delivering a full turn-key solution that spanned design, modular manufacturing, site preparation, delivery, and on-site finishing work. Their approach ensured the four 500–600 sq. ft. homes were move-in ready, meeting the March 2025 deadline while adhering to Tla’amin’s vision for accessible, culturally aligned spaces. The project’s success hinged on Arcwell’s seamless integration of prefabricated modules with traditional construction methods, minimizing site disruption and accelerating timelines without compromising quality.
Ryan Cohen and William Murphy, Managing Directors of Arcwell, were in attendance at the grande opening. Cohen emphasized the company’s commitment to “reshaping community infrastructure through innovation and respect for cultural values,” while Murphy emphasized the critical importance of teamwork and seamless communication in navigating the intricacies of delivering to more remote communities like Tla’ Amin. Their presence at the opening ceremony symbolized a shared dedication to reconciliation and practical solutions for housing inequities.
Ceremony and Community: Honoring the Past, Building the Future
The day began with an ancestral food burning ceremony to honor loved ones lost to addiction and mental health struggles, led by elder John Louie and culture manager Drew Blaney. Families offered traditional foods to the spirit world, bridging generations and reinforcing cultural continuity. A cedar brushing ceremony followed, cleansing the homes and inviting protection for their future occupants.
Elder Elsie Paul, who also blessed Tla’amin’s earlier 24-unit elders’ housing project in 2022, shared prayers and reflections on the significance of t̓ɛχɛθot. His words echoed the nation’s broader housing strategy, which prioritizes safe, dignified spaces for vulnerable citizens—from emergency trailers during the pandemic to this latest complex care model.
Collaborative Foundations: Partners in Progress
t̓ɛχɛθot is part of the qathet region’s Complex Care Housing Program, a tripartite partnership between Tla’amin Nation, Vancouver Coastal Health, and Lift Community Services. The program addresses overlapping challenges such as mental health crises, substance use, and brain injuries, offering wraparound services like primary care, peer support, and daily living assistance. Tla’amin Health further strengthened the initiative by hiring an Indigenous Cultural Support Worker to guide residents through their healing journeys.
The project’s strategic location near essential services in tišosəm ensures tenants can easily access healthcare, social programs, and community networks—a design principle mirrored in Tla’amin’s broader housing developments, including the 30-unit tiskʷət project announced in 2024.
The ceremony closed with a communal BBQ, celebrating not just the homes but the 9 year anniversary of Tla’Amin self-governing treaty.
Through collaborations like that with Arcwell Developments, Tla’amin continues to lead in innovative, culturally rooted solutions—proving that when communities and industry unite, the fire of hope burns brighter for all.