Delegates at last week’s Dene National Assembly unanimously passed a resolution to support Dene citizens experiencing homelessness. Here’s what that means.
The resolution directs the Dene Nation to coordinate with First Nations to make them aware of any community members living elsewhere who may be unhoused, and to help them reach those individuals or families.
It also directs the Dene Nation to help anyone wanting a return to their home community with things like transportation, reconnection and housing, in partnership with First Nations, Housing NWT, and other branches of the territorial and federal governments.
Among actions outlined in the resolution, representatives from the Dene Nation will request a meeting with Yellowknife’s new mayor and council once they are elected and take office, as well as with NWT Premier RJ Simpson and housing minister Lucy Kuptana.
The goals of that meeting include discussing a supported pathway home for unhoused Dene citizens, culturally safe and Indigenous-led outreach and shelter services, and a standing role for Dene leadership in city and territorial homelessness planning.
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At the assembly, which was hosted by the Kátł’odeeche First Nation, Chief Toni Heron of the Salt River First Nation called for the resolution’s scope to be broadened to include communities across Denendeh, instead of just Yellowknife.
“We have homelessness all over the place,” said Chief Heron.
“But definitely, when you go south or even Yellowknife – anywhere – it’s only our people we see on the street.”
Stacey Drygeese Sundberg, of the Yellowknife Street Support Network, said the organization is interested in running branches in other communities with the support of local leadership.
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“As Yellowknives Dene, we don’t like seeing people that are homeless on our own homeland,” said Drygeese Sundberg.
“What we’re trying to do is help – and trying to get all First Nations and all chiefs to try to support us, so we can do a better job.”
She said the organization has helped two people access housing in Yellowknife and provided some furniture and food alongside support finding employment.
“We try to move on and help them have a better life, have a better career, go back to school, take their kids back from care,” said Drygeese Sundberg.
Chief Melanie Norwegian Menacho, of the Tthets’éhk’edélî First Nation in Jean Marie River, said she has heard concerns about unhoused people facing violence from security guards in Yellowknife.
“We do have a lot of people that are struggling,” said Chief Norwegian Menacho.
“I just really wish we can do something on the level that we’re making sure our homeless people are safe and secure.”
Katłı̨̀ą Lafferty requested an update on how the Dene Nation’s conversations with Housing NWT and with the federal government are progressing regarding an increased housing supply.
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“In order to solve the unhoused crisis, we need to have homes for our people,” said Lafferty.
“We want to know how many times we’ve called this to the table, and why nothing is being done, and why the government is not listening to us.
“We have the ability to make these changes, and it’s not happening, and is not happening fast enough.”
Alice Twa contributed reporting.
