A recently opened women’s shelter in northeastern Alberta is providing vital support to vulnerable members of a First Nation community, ensuring they remain connected to their cultural roots. The Cold Lake First Nations (CLFN), situated approximately 280 kilometers northeast of Edmonton, celebrated the inauguration of their first dedicated women’s shelter on Monday. Women started relocating to the shelter the following day.
Each room in the shelter is uniquely adorned and furnished with a bed, care packages, towels, a desk, and other essentials to cater to the needs of women seeking a safe haven. 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, emphasized the shelter’s significance as a crucial resource for women in need of a secure place to stay. Martial highlighted the importance of addressing local women’s homelessness, asserting that safeguarding women is essential as they are the backbone of any community.
The shelter features seven bedrooms, a communal kitchen, and living area equipped with books, games, and yoga equipment, as described by shelter manager Tempest Lapatac. Programming at the shelter, such as healing circles, cultural teachings, language classes, gardening, and meal planning, will be provided by staff, elders, and community members. Lapatac emphasized that the shelter is designed to feel like a home, allowing residents to be self-sufficient by taking care of daily tasks themselves.
Women can stay at the shelter for a period of 30 days and are expected to engage in case management plans to access services such as addiction counseling, mental health support, education opportunities, and employment training. The shelter was made possible after a trailer was generously donated to the community and refurbished, according to CLFN Chief Kelsey Jacko. Jacko stressed the importance of women from the First Nation community maintaining their connection to their culture and families while having a secure place to stay.
CLFN councillor Jacinta Janvier expressed that the shelter is a collaborative effort of community members, leaders, and staff who recognized the plight of struggling women in the community. Janvier’s vision for the shelter was to provide a safe haven for women and children, enabling families to thrive without fear of abuse. The hope is that individuals accessing the shelter will find a renewed sense of hope and a path to a better life.