A newly established women’s shelter in northeastern Alberta is providing vital assistance to vulnerable members of a First Nation community while emphasizing connection to their traditional culture and community.
Cold Lake First Nations (CLFN), located approximately 280 kilometers northeast of Edmonton, recently inaugurated its inaugural women’s shelter, with women starting to move in the following day. The shelter offers individually decorated rooms equipped with essential items such as beds, care packages, towels, desks, and more to provide a safe and comfortable space for women in need.
Terry Martial, the CEO of the Horelyu Dene Ts’edi Kue Society, a non-profit organization that focuses on community wellness and cultural support for CLFN, highlighted the significance of the shelter as a crucial resource for women seeking refuge. Addressing the issue of local women facing homelessness was a key motivation behind establishing the shelter, Martial emphasized.
Featuring seven bedrooms, a communal kitchen, and living area complete with books, games, and yoga equipment, the shelter aims to offer a supportive environment. Shelter manager Tempest Lapatac shared that staff, elders, and community members will provide various programs, including healing circles, cultural teachings, language classes, gardening, and meal planning.
Designed to feel like a home, the shelter encourages residents to be self-sufficient, responsible for their daily tasks such as cooking and cleaning. Women can stay at the shelter for up to 30 days, during which they will work on case management plans and have access to support services like addiction counseling, mental health assistance, education opportunities, and job training.
The initiative to establish the shelter originated from a donated trailer that was transformed to meet the community’s needs, as mentioned by CLFN Chief Kelsey Jacko. Jacko emphasized the importance of ensuring that women can maintain their connection to their culture and families while seeking a secure place to stay.
The collaborative effort of community members, leadership, and staff led to the realization of the shelter, driven by the awareness of women in the community facing hardships, according to CLFN councillor Jacinta Janvier. The shelter symbolizes a safe haven for women and families to thrive, free from abuse, and Janvier expressed hope that those utilizing the shelter will find solace and a path towards a better future.