A brand-new women’s shelter has been established in northeastern Alberta to provide crucial support to vulnerable members of a First Nation community, emphasizing the importance of community and culture.
Recently, Cold Lake First Nations (CLFN), situated approximately 280 kilometers northeast of Edmonton, celebrated the official opening of their inaugural women’s shelter. Women began relocating to the shelter the following day.
Each room at the shelter is uniquely designed and furnished with a bed, care packages, towels, a desk, and other essential items for women seeking refuge. Terry Martial, the CEO of the Horelyu Dene Ts’edi Kue Society, a non-profit organization offering community wellness, cultural support, and social programs for CLFN, highlighted the shelter’s significance as a safe haven for women in need.
Martial expressed concern over local women facing homelessness, stressing the shelter’s role in ensuring their protection and well-being. The facility boasts seven bedrooms, a communal kitchen, and living area equipped with reading materials, games, yoga gear, and managed by shelter manager Tempest Lapatac.
Lapatac mentioned that the shelter will provide various programs such as healing circles, cultural teachings, language classes, gardening, and meal planning, facilitated by staff, elders, and community members. The objective is to create a homely environment while promoting residents’ independence and self-sufficiency.
Residents are encouraged to partake in daily activities, including cooking and cleaning, to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility. The shelter accommodates women for a period of 30 days, during which they will receive assistance in developing case management plans and accessing support services like addiction counseling, mental health resources, educational opportunities, and job training.
The initiative to establish the shelter stemmed from a donated trailer that was repurposed for this purpose, according to CLFN Chief Kelsey Jacko. He emphasized the importance of maintaining cultural connections and family ties while offering a secure environment for women from the First Nation.
CLFN councillor Jacinta Janvier credited the collaborative efforts of community members, leadership, and staff for realizing the shelter, driven by the shared goal of providing a safe haven for women and families in need of support and protection. Janvier expressed hope that individuals utilizing the shelter will find solace and a pathway to a brighter future.