Westminster Ponds land to be new site for Indigenous-led homeless shelter this winter
CBC
The grounds behind Parkwood Hospital, with land backing onto Westminster Ponds, has been chosen as the new site for a winter shelter for Indigenous people experiencing homelessness this winter, Atlohsa Family Healing Services announced on Tuesday.
"Stemming from Atlohsa's partnership with St. Joseph's Health Care London for the Biigajiiskaan Indigenous Mental Wellness program, we are very excited to be able to offer an Indigenous-led winter response in a safe location that meets the needs of our community members and staff," said Raymond Deleary, Atlohsa's executive director.
"We have been overwhelmed with positive community response following the fire at River Road, and we extend our gratitude to those who have reached out with offers of support. Prior to colonization, there was a place in our communities for everyone. The support we have received from St. Joseph's and the wider London community reminds us of our shared values of kindness, respect and inclusivity."
The location offers a lot of land on which there can be programming for Indigenous individuals, an important aspect of the Indigenous-led shelter.
A previously announced shelter on the site of the River Road Golf Course had to be scrapped because a fire destroyed much of the clubhouse where programming would take place.
Some neighbours expressed opposition to the River Road shelter location. A city of London worker, who lives near the golf course, has been charged with arson in the Nov. 7 fire.
The loss of the golf course location was difficult, said Kevin Dickins, who oversees housing support for the city.
"The Indigenous-led temporary shelter site is a critical part of our winter response," Dickins said. "We will continue to work closely with Atlohsa and are committed to supporting them as they deliver this important service this winter."
St. Joseph's Health Care said it's "honoured" to work with Atlhosa and the Indigenous community.
"We need to work together to find meaningful solutions that address homelessness in our community and we are thankful to be able to support this urgent need," said Roy Butler, the hospital's president and CEO.
The lands behind Parkwood Hospital, on Wellington Road and Commissioners Road, include several structures that are part of an abandoned veterans village built in 1946 for those returning home from the Second World War. Some, but not all, of the buildings are occupied by organizations.
More to come.
All public schools on P.E.I. are closed Friday and thousands of Maritime Electric customers are without power as strong winds create hazardous travel conditions across the province.
Prince Rupert, B.C., residents are celebrating the holidays this year with coastal flair.
In the four years Chelsey Simmonds has worked at the Eva Rothwell Centre, she has seen the need increase every year at the centre’s community food pantry.
CBC is once again looking to make the holiday season kind in Windsor-Essex.
Acute Care Alberta has extended its contract for another year with a private surgical facility at the centre of probes into health procurement and contracting.
As food bank use continues to climb across the province, front-line workers in Thunder Bay, Ont., are working to improve both food security and education.
More ads could soon be coming to Toronto’s subway system.
The driver wanted in connection with a fatal hit and run on Highway 401 earlier this week has been identified, police say.
There are mixed feelings about the proposed Grays Bay road and port project, among people who live in nearby communities.
WARNING: This story details allegations of child abuse and includes graphic content.
Provincial police in Lambton County have charged a 23-year-old man with second degree murder following a death investigation that began this past Saturday.
The Newfoundland and Labrador government is forming a working group to tackle what it calls systemic issues in the justice system, but answers or solutions could still be months away.
A woman has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death in a 2024 fatal hit and run in Truro, N.S., where the victim was dragged down the street, a case that went unsolved for more than six months.