A recently established women’s shelter in northeastern Alberta is providing vital support to vulnerable members of a First Nation community, emphasizing the importance of maintaining their connection to community and culture.
Cold Lake First Nations (CLFN), situated around 280 kilometers northeast of Edmonton, celebrated the grand opening of its inaugural women’s shelter on Monday. The shelter welcomed its first residents on Tuesday, offering individually decorated rooms equipped with beds, care packages, towels, desks, and other essentials.
Terry Martial, the CEO of the Horelyu Dene Ts’edi Kue Society, a non-profit organization that delivers 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 women enduring harsh conditions, such as sleeping in tents during winter, emphasizing the necessity of providing proper shelter.
The facility comprises seven bedrooms, a communal kitchen, and living area stocked with books, games, and yoga equipment, according to shelter manager Tempest Lapatac. Lapatac mentioned that the shelter will offer various activities and services including healing circles, cultural teachings, language classes, gardening, and meal planning, with the aim of creating a home-like environment while promoting residents’ independence.
Residents will have the opportunity to stay at the shelter for 30 days, during which they will work on case management plans and have access to resources such as addiction counseling, mental health support, education opportunities, and job training. CLFN Chief Kelsey Jacko emphasized the shelter’s role in allowing women to stay connected to their culture and families while providing a secure place to seek refuge.
The initiative to establish the shelter was driven by community collaboration, with the support of leaders and staff who recognized the need to assist struggling women in the area. CLFN councillor Jacinta Janvier expressed the collective desire to create a safe haven for women and families, free from abuse, enabling them to flourish and progress positively. The hope is that individuals utilizing the shelter will find renewed hope and a path towards a better quality of life.