Steve, 58, has lived at Wiigiwaaminaan Lodge for four months, trying to make his small room feel like home with sweetgrass and his beadwork. After years of hardship—including a difficult childhood, job loss, and addiction—he says the Indigenous-led shelter has given him “his life back.” Emotional healing has come through cultural practices such as sweat lodge ceremonies, beading, and art classes, which help him reconnect with identity and tradition. With staff support, Steve recently obtained identification after a long period without it, allowing him to enter a rehabilitation program where he has secured a January placement. He values the shelter’s location away from downtown, where drugs are more accessible.
Terrell King, the shelter’s cultural coordinator, says many residents arrive lost, struggling with homelessness and identity. Wiigiwaaminaan provides not just a bed but cultural teachings, ceremony, and support systems that help people rebuild confidence and purpose. Many residents have little experience with their Indigenous heritage before arriving but become deeply involved in ceremonies and community. The shelter emphasizes long-term connection, ensuring people still feel supported after finding housing. Over the past year, Wiigiwaaminaan has helped 18 residents secure permanent homes, with stays ranging from 21 to 673 days.
Read the full story on CBC: