Aurora Village healing camp, a safe space for those experiencing homelessness and addiction, is set to close on April 7.
Nestled in the bushland, just 15 km outside of Yellowknife, the popular tourist spot turned healing space is home to 21 people SA国际影视传媒� some of whom will return to the streets when it closes, jeopardizing the progress they made in the program.
SA国际影视传媒淭hey are in a beautiful journey now SA国际影视传媒� they havenSA国际影视传媒檛 drank. Now my friends are saying: SA国际影视传媒榃here am I going to go? Back to the streets,SA国际影视传媒� said Wilbert Menacho, who fears many will return to their addictions. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檝e lived on the streets before, I know what itSA国际影视传媒檚 like.SA国际影视传媒�
Menacho has lived at the camp since November 2021, and provides guidance as an Elder.
He explained that the camp is more than a safe home, itSA国际影视传媒檚 a healing space based on traditional rituals and ceremony.
SA国际影视传媒淲e feed the fire every Friday, and pray for all people,SA国际影视传媒� said Menacho. SA国际影视传媒淥n the land SA国际影视传媒� thatSA国际影视传媒檚 where you heal. We feel beautiful out here.SA国际影视传媒�
The program has seen 60 or 70 guests, many of them have secured employment and achieved sobriety.
SA国际影视传媒淲e need more money to keep us going. We need our leaders and our MLAs to keep this open,SA国际影视传媒� said Menacho. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 really sad that itSA国际影视传媒檚 closing because itSA国际影视传媒檚 working.SA国际影视传媒�
He added that the camp has reduced the number of SA国际影视传媒渄runk tankSA国际影视传媒� admissions in downtown Yellowknife.
SA国际影视传媒淚 would suggest there has been a reduction in the volume of police interactions with the vulnerable population,SA国际影视传媒� confirmed Insp. Christopher Hastie. SA国际影视传媒淭his camp offered a sense of personal security, coupled with enhanced, Indigenous-led care and treatment to individuals, who are often marginalized by society, struggling with significant personal, physical and mental trauma and lack the necessary and appropriate, real-time supports and assistance.
SA国际影视传媒淭his initiative was an entirely invaluable and a positive experience for many vulnerable people from the Yellowknife area who participated,SA国际影视传媒� said Hastie.
Tony Kakfwi, the Dene NationSA国际影视传媒檚 director of lands and environment, called the camp a SA国际影视传媒渟uccess,SA国际影视传媒� and heSA国际影视传媒檚 disapointed they have run out of money continue.
The program received $2.8 million from Indigenous Services Canada to operate the camp from November 22 to the end of March. The Dene Nation contributed funds to keep the program going until April 7.
The camp was originally designed to protect people experiencing homelessness from Covid-19.
SA国际影视传媒淢ost of the money we accessed came from the Covid pot, so now there has not been the same amount of funds available this year,SA国际影视传媒� said Kakfwi. SA国际影视传媒淲e are in SA国际影视传媒榟urry up and wait modeSA国际影视传媒� with the new federal budget. Hopefully we can find some dollars there to reopen the camp.SA国际影视传媒�
Costs to run the program include rental of the facility, staff, vehicles, harm reduction supplies and winter clothing.
SA国际影视传媒淪ome arrived with nothing, no clothing, no gear,SA国际影视传媒� said Kakfwi.
The camp bought snowmobiles, fishing gear, and toboggans to keep the campers active and entertained.
During their stay, many campers secured employment at Aurora VillageSA国际影视传媒檚 sister company and in the diamond mines.
SA国际影视传媒淪ome spent their off rotation (from the mines) at the camp. Some went to rehab programs in the south and others found living quarters in town,SA国际影视传媒� said Kakfwi. SA国际影视传媒淥verall, we think we were quite successful in those ventures.SA国际影视传媒�
And, Kakfwi noted, not one guest contracted Covid.
SA国际影视传媒淲hat weSA国际影视传媒檝e seen recently is the stress of the guests. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 really bad,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淪ome are so afraid to go back on the streets with no place to live, and itSA国际影视传媒檚 a sad situation.SA国际影视传媒�
