The Innu community is mobilizing in the hope of opening a shelter early next month for homeless Indigenous people near Cabot Square, where crying needs have been felt for months.
The closing of the Raphaël André tent on April 30 left a void to be filled in Cabot Square, a green space near the Atwater metro station which over the years has become a meeting place for many Aboriginal people in homelessness. As winter approached, no resources were set up on this site to replace this heated tent, which had about fifteen beds intended for homeless Aboriginal people.
“There is a clear need for winter measures, a place where people can go to take refuge at night in winter” in the area, west of downtown, says David Chapman, director of Resilience Montreal, an organization which runs a drop-in center for homeless aboriginals located near Cabot Square. Like several other shelters in the metropolis joined by The dutythe organization is already struggling to meet the demand of homeless people, a few days before the official start of winter.
Tribute to Raphaël André
After months of effort, members of the Innu community — Alexandra Ambroise and Chief Jean-Charles Piétacho in the lead — are, however, in the process of creating a shelter for the homeless natives, learned The duty. Negotiations are underway with the managers of a church in Montreal. The objective is to rent a space located on the ground floor of a building on Sainte-Catherine Street West, a two-minute walk from Cabot Square, confides Mme Ambrose in interview.
The shelter to be built there will be open every day from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. and will have 30 beds where homeless natives can sleep in the warmth after eating a good meal. The shelter will welcome both men and women and should provide a section for women “in distress and crisis”, says Ms.me Ambrose. It will also bear the name of Mitshuap (Maison) Raphaël “Napa” André, in tribute to this homeless Aboriginal man found dead of cold in Montreal in January 2021.
Heather Johnston, the director general of Native Projects of Quebec (PAQ), an organization that shelters many homeless people in Montreal, welcomes this initiative, which is expected. “It would be really welcome, because we at PAQ are packed every night. »
A temporary resource
Initially, the refuge was to open its doors on December 20, indicates Alexandra Ambroise, who managed the Raphaël André tent last winter. However, negotiations are continuing with the owners of the premises in question, which is delaying the opening of this resource, she explains. Some renovation work will also be necessary in the room, which includes a large kitchen, in order to transform it into a night shelter, adds the Innu.
“We’ve been trying to move forward for a long time, but there’s always something blocking it,” sighs M.me Ambroise, who works with the health network and the City of Montreal in the realization and financing of this project. “The Innu nation is in the last miles to attach this project”, confirms to the To have to the municipal councilor responsible for reconciliation with indigenous peoples, Alia Hassan-Cournol, who assures that “all parties are in this perspective of an opening as soon as possible”.
This refuge could open its doors on January 9, if all goes well, says Alexandra Ambroise.
However, “there may be very cold days before January 9,” recalls David Chapman. Last January, two homeless people were found dead in cold weather in about ten days in Montreal.
We’ve been trying to move forward for a long time, but there’s always something blocking
This future refuge will also be temporary, since its closure is scheduled for April 30. “It’s a question of funding, and it’s because it comes under the winter measures” in roaming, explains Mme Ambroise, who does not hide his wish that this resource become permanent. “We’re working hard to keep that going. »