Tupa’s Lodge
Supporting Indigenous Mothers & Birthing Parents
Welcome to Tupa’s Lodge, nestled within the unceded territory of the Syilx/Okanagan Nation, colonially known as Kelowna, BC. Tupa, meaning great-grandmother in nsyilxcən, embodies the spirit of our sanctuary. Here, Indigenous elders offer spiritual guidance and share ancestral traditions, forming the heart and core of our offering.
Tupa’s Lodge is a welcoming low-barrier second-stage transition house designed for Indigenous mothers and birthing parents navigating pregnancy and parenthood. Our lodge offers a culturally rooted and healing environment where participants can thrive alongside their children. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by Indigenous mothers and birthing parents, we provide tailored support to foster resilience and empowerment.
Our Mission:
Our mission is to empower Indigenous mothers and birthing parents facing risk of child separation by fostering healing within a culturally rooted environment. Through unwavering support, we ensure every individual receives the resources and care needed to thrive.
Model of Care:
At Tupa’s Lodge, we embrace a holistic care model that integrates cultural sensitivity, trauma-informed practices, and personalized support. Grounded in deep respect for Indigenous traditions, we prioritize the sovereignty and wellbeing of every participant. We extend a warm welcome to birthing people on their journey of recovery from substance use, as well as fleeing violence and facing barriers to safe and secure housing. Through tailored wellness plans, comprehensive services, and a nurturing environment, we support participants and their families’ resilience.
Capacity:
Our lodge can accommodate up to eight individuals, including participants and their children.
Our Approach:
Embracing a holistic model of care, we honor Indigenous traditions and values at Tupa’s Lodge. Through trauma-informed practices and individualized support, we strive to empower participants to reclaim their strength and agency. Our comprehensive services encompass emotional, physical, and practical aid, ensuring the well-being of both mother/birthing parent and child:
- Culturally Based Healing: Integrating Indigenous cultural practices and teachings to promote healing and spiritual well-being through traditional foods and land based approaches.
- Holistic Programming: Participants engage in daily activities focused on essential life skills for personal and family growth, with weekly programming centered on the pillars of actualization, mental health, physical health, and indigeneity.
- Safe Living Environment: Providing a secure and supportive space where mothers/birthing parents can thrive and nurture themselves and their children.
- Individualized Support: Co-creating wellness plans tailored to unique needs and circumstances.
A Program from Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society:
Tupa’s Lodge is a pilot project program of the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society, a non-profit Indigenous-led organization renowned in the community for the wrap-around services and care it provides to the urban Indigenous population of Kelowna, BC.
Referral Process:
Institutions interested in referring potential participants can contact us via email to learn about our referral procedures and the information needed to join the waitlist and become a candidate for the intake process.
Contact Information:
- Email: tupaslodge@kfs.bc.ca
- Phone/Fax: +1 (236) 763-0778
Address
442 Leon Ave, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 6J3
Phone No
(250) 763-4905
Business Hours
Monday - Thursday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
The Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society respectfully acknowledges that it is located in the beautiful Central Okanagan Valley, located in the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Okanagan Nation (Syilx People).