First Nations Addictions Rehabilitation Foundation

Mission Statement

The First Nation Addiction Rehabilitation Foundation is dedicated to helping First Nations people in Saskatchewan by promoting responsible gambling. The mission of FNARF is to promote and maintain healthy lifestyles that enhance healthy individuals, families and communities by increasing the use of holistic approaches. It accomplishes this mission by engaging in activities in four mandated areas: education, prevention, research and treatment.

What does FNARF do?

FNARF is a program made available at the tribal council or independent grassroots level. Funding is provided by the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority to ensure education, prevention and treatment programs and services are available to First Nations people dealing with gambling addictions. In 2007 research into problem gambling was added to the FNARF mandate.

What is Responsible Gambling?

For many First Nations and Aboriginal people, gambling is considered a social activity. Playing bingo, dropping a couple of bucks into a machine, wagering on horse racing, or just going over to the local store and buying a lottery ticket.

Responsible gaming occurs when informed participants have a clear understanding of the probabilities of winning and engage in low risk gaming situations and wager reasonalble amounts.

“Knowing your limit and playing within it”

(reprint in part from Saskatchewan Responsible Gaming Association)

What is Problem Gambling Behaviour?

Problem gambling behaviour can affect significant areas of a person’s life. This may include health, employment, financial, and famliy relationships.

High-risk problem gambers usually are borrowing this money with every intention of repaying it. But realistically that individual is having noticeable negative effects in areas of their life, such s excessive debt, marital problems or illegal activity.

Theories of Problem Gambling

The FNARF Board of Driectors realizes that there are many theories, models and approaches to assist those experiencing gambling related difficulties.

Currently, the FNARF Board of Directors recognizes three models in dealing with Problem Gambling. The “Controlled/Risk Reduction Model,” the “Disease/Abstinence Model” and the “Circle of Care” model.

With the “Controlled/Risk Reduction Model” one maintains that people can be social gamblers and can gamble for recreation and not have a problem with gambling.

The “Disease/Abstinence Model” recognizes there will be persons who will develop major gambling problems and the only recourse is abstinence.

The “Circle of Care” model encompasses the medicine wheel teachings and holistic approaches to healthy living.

Preventing Problem Gambling

For many people gambling is exciting and entertaining. They make careful decisions about spending time and money, where to go and how to have fun. Here’s how to avoid problems:

Gambling for entertainment, not as a way to make money. The house always has the advantage. You are really just paying to play the game. Make sure you know how the game works and what the odds are before you decide to play. Only use discretionary income, not money for everyday expenses. Set a budget and stick to it. Do not use cash machines to get more money for gambling. Leave your debit and credit card at home when you decide to gamble. Set a time limit. Take frequent breaks. Be aware-risk increases at time of loss or depression. Don’t borrow money to gamble. Do not ‘chase’ losses. Accept them as the cost of entertainment. Balance gambling with other leisure activities.

(reprinted in part from the Responsible Gambing Council of Ontario)

Harm-Minimization Strategy

The Board of Directors of the First Nations Addictions Rehabilitation Foundation has developed a Regional Strategy on Problem Gambling behaviours. Many of the First Nations communities in Saskatchewan are currently implementing “Harm-Reduction Strategies” within their health and social community programming for problem gambling. Support must continue for the Problem Gambling Services to minimize gaps in services for those seeking help with problem gambling.

The FNARF Board of Directors maintaing a position to neither endorse nor opposes the gaming industry. Thus, in developing the regional strategy, respect and recognition is granted to legalized gambling as economic development and employment opportunities.

It is also the position of FNARF Board of Directors to have one representative (FNARF Funding Formula bases) from each of the Tribal/Brand Councils and Independent First Nations appointed to the Saskatchewan First Nations Resposible Gambling Technical Working Group (SFNRG-TWG) to provide recommendations which ensure effective Education, Prevention and Treatment in accordance with the FNARF mandate and mission.

Treatment Centres

Holistic Wellness Centre
Cottage 10 2300 9th Avenue West
Prince Albert, SK
TEL: 1-866-765-5305 or 306-765-5305
FAX: 306-763-5223
www.pagc.sk.ca or email: [email protected]

The MISSION is to provide support for problem gamblers, their families and community based education about problem and responsible gambling. The Holistic Wellness Centre focuses on Problem Gambling (inpatient/outpatient treatment) and is the only “stand alone” centre for the treatment of problem gamblers that is not based on ethnicity or residency. The Centre is located in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.

White Raven Healing Centre
All Nations Healing Hospital
Fort Qu’Appelle, SK
TEL: 1-866-748-8922 or 306-322-2608
FAX: 306-332-2655
www.fhqtc.com

Our MISSION is to provide guiding principles that will encourage open communication with all individuals, families and communities. Our primary focus is to provide traditional and conventional therapeutic counseling designed to address the lagacy of intergenerational impacts of residential schools and unresolved trauma and family.

STC Health Centre
Gambling Addiction Services
1514 20th Street West Saskatoon, SK
S7M 0Z5
Phone: (306) 956.0340 Fax: (306) 956.0339