Transitional housing for Indigenous families in Edmonton to open in October

This fall, Edmonton will see the addition of transitional housing for Indigenous families moving from remote communities to the city. Buffalo Keeper NehiYaw Centre is preparing six units, including three two-bedroom and three one-bedroom apartments, set to open in October. These units are designed to assist families, especially those from Indigenous communities struggling to find stable housing. One family, including a mother and two teenagers, is already waiting to move in.

The new building, named Seneca One, will provide more than just housing. It will offer cultural support, employment services, and weekly visits from elders who will guide residents through ceremonies and traditional practices. The goal is to help people regain their cultural identity and stability in their new urban environment. The project is funded by the federal government through National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Inc.

Buffalo Keeper’s mission is to address the high rate of homelessness among Indigenous people in Edmonton, who make up 5% of the city’s population but a disproportionate 55-65% of the homeless. Seneca One will allow residents to stay for up to two years, with plans to expand and create housing for women leaving prison by 2026. The initiative also connects residents to cultural healing and community support, with programs like Myra House, which helped people transitioning from prison.