Gathering addressed Aboriginal homelessness

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Keith Duggan says that in his three decades of policing in Edmonton he has watched the Aboriginal population challenge the problems found in their communities, and more effectively create positive change than any other group in the city.

Superintendent Duggan of the Edmonton Police Service participated in the day-long Aboriginal Homelessness Gathering on Feb. 19. Of the 65 groups invited to attend, 40 agencies were represented.

The Aboriginal population is growing faster than any other in Canada. Duggan said there is a huge wave of young Aboriginal people expected to move to Edmonton within 10 years.

"We need to receive them in a way that helps them be stable and productive. We need a highly visible and easy-to-find centre to assist them when they arrive."

He suggested the centre would provide training for newly arrived Aboriginal people, including training on the basics of city life, such as how the urban transportation system works, as well the issues of home management and maintenance.

"We know that this growth in population is happening. We believe that's a good thing, because our community needs these young people. But we need to recognize that in this growth environment, it's in our best interests to help them overcome the challenges of moving into a new environment."

Participants at the Aboriginal Homelessness Gathering broke off into groups to discuss the problems of emergency, transitional and supportive housing, and later recommended solutions for their related problems. The groups came to the conclusion that all the resources needed to deal with the problems associated with homelessness already exist. What is lacking is a way to share that information with groups dealing with homeless people and the homeless themselves. Information sharing and co-operation was considered a very important solution.

There are many agencies in Edmonton that can help, but the homeless do not know about them. One solution suggested was a formal homeless persons advocate who would educate the department of Social Assistance staff on where to send people for help, and also provide information to the homeless and to all the agencies involved. It was pointed out that when a person goes to social assistance for help, if he or she does not have an address, they are turned away until they have "a place."

Most of the group members agreed that there are degrees of homelessness and a multi-dimensional definition of the homeless is needed. Another solution suggested was to have a political lobbyist to initiate change in the existing system. The requirement for a database was also mentioned.

"We need to work together to develop these solutions, and it takes changing attitudes and real commitment from all segments of our community to ensure success," Duggan said.

He said he believes that the planning for the migration of Aboriginal people to the city needs to include the band councils and Elders, as well as the support of government and other agencies.