Piwapan Women’s shelter in La Ronge has secured funding from the federal government and National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Incorporated (NICHI) through a grant.
The grant is intended to address the need for safe and affordable urban, rural and northern Indigenous housing projects in Saskatchewan. Almost $34 million in funding has been given to eight organizations including the Piwapan Women’s shelter.
Piwapan has purchased an apartment building in La Ronge with the funding which will serve women, men and youth who are escaping domestic violence. The women’s centre will announce the location of the building once details are finalized.
“We have really high numbers of domestic violence occurrences in the north, we also have no shelters in the north that help men who are escaping violence or youth escaping violence,” explained Piwapan executive director, Karen Sanderson.
NICHI has provided enough funding for eight apartment units, there will be four for women and young women with children, two for men with children, and two for young people.
Right now, Piwapan operates a women’s shelter with a capacity of 20 people, along with an eight-bedroom apartment building and Sanderson said there is already a wait list for the new apartment building.
“In true partnership with Indigenous Peoples, we are getting more homes built, faster. I’ve seen with my own eyes and from speaking with people directly on the ground the challenges Indigenous communities face with regards to building more homes. Hence, these projects follow a By Indigenous, For Indigenous approach. We will always be there for communities as they take the lead to build.” Stated Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, PrairiesCan and CanNor.
The funding was provided to Indigenous Services Canada through Budget 2022 and was distributed by NICHI, applying its “For Indigenous, By Indigenous” approach.
Other communities receiving funding from NICHI include Prince Albert, Buffalo Narrows, Regina and Saskatoon.