Our History

In 1988, La Maison Waseskun was founded. It began life as a halfway house between 1988 and 1992, located in Pointe-Saint-Charles, Montreal. Two days before its official opening, a major fire broke out in the building. However, thanks to a collective effort, the site was repaired in time for the inauguration. The event was marked by the participation of a world-renowned dance troupe from Alberta, on a stopover in Montreal before their European tour, who performed at the event. 

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In 1992, La Maison Waseskun moved to Saint-Henri, Montreal, where it remained until 1999. Between 1996 and 1998, the “Waseskun Movers” were created to help residents find employment, an initiative funded by Aboriginal Business Canada. Similarly, in 1997, the “Waseskun Network” was created, with partners such as Air Creebec, Cree Construction, the Royal Bank of Canada, Hydro Québec, Imperial Tobacco and Metro. This network, avant-garde for its time, was a chat platform. 

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In September 1998, the Saint-Alphonse-Rodriguez property was purchased, and in February 1999, Waseskun took up permanent residence there. In June 1999, a spiritual gathering on the Saint-Alphonse-Rodriguez site brings together 600 people for an entire week. In 2001, the Waseskun Healing Centre hosts a national training session for some 30 Correctional Service of Canada Aboriginal Liaison Officers (called OLIs at the time), and in the same year the first Section 81 agreement is signed with the Correctional Service of Canada.