Our Homeless Indigenous Populations, Require Culturally Indigenous Healing Shelters.

  From the penning of an inherently racist document, the Doctrine of Discovery, to the recent declaration of “Genocide” in the National Inquiry which tells thousands of stories about the race-based genocide of Indigenous Peoples, and how this violence targets women, girls, and 2-Spirited people. Of importance to the homelessness sector is the role of this Genocide in the over-representation of Indigenous Peoples amongst the homeless population across Canada. Our People still continue to suffer negative effects to the colonization of Turtle Island.
   In addition, the Cultural Genocide of the Residential school era has produced generations of marginalized targets who’ve slipped, or more aptly been squeeeezed through the cracks of a society preoccupied with consumerism and its flamboyant victors. There are many survivors and inter-generational survivors who’ve stumbled out onto streets, only to be forgotten and left to the very religious institutions which tried erase their proud Sovereign identifies in the first place.
  This is why we are calling for, and in accordance with principals of UNDRIP and the following Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call’s to Actions:
Health
#'s 18, 19, 21, 22, 23
Justice
#'s 30, 33, 38, 40
Reconciliation
#'s 46, 48,49, 55(iv.), 60, 92  
   …measures be taken to address Direct/Indirect Impacts, preventative measures of negative Social Determinates within the system & Data Collections of the over-represented Indigenous population experiencing homelessness.  We are calling for the City of Edmonton in partnership with local Indigenous & Christian organizations to incorporate into already existing applicable service infrastructures and/or provide a new Culturally Indigenous homeless Shelter and/or Drop-in with a Culturally Indigenous Healing component specifically for Indigenous People’s, run by Indigenous People’s.  
   The World Health Organization has recognized the relevant importance of Traditional Healing Practices. It has been said that Culture is the best and only true Healer for the Indigenous People’s. So Please Edmonton's Mayor Don Iveson & City Counsel, let’s stop talking about ending poverty... it's time to begin with some Healing.