Advocacy

EAGLE Urban Transition Centre

• About EUTC
• Status Card Program
• 2SLGBTQQIA+ Support Program
• IRS Support Program
• Eagles Nest Program
• New Beginnings Program
• Fresh Start Program
• Patient Advocate Unit
• Special Needs Advocate Unit

About EUTC

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs created the EAGLE Urban Transition Centre (EUTC) in 2005. The primary goal of the EUTC is to act as a culturally relevant and non-discriminatory gateway for Indigenous people transitioning into an urban centre. The EUTC office is focused on providing a single window from which clients receive support, advocacy and access to needed programs to achieve independent living.

The EUTC is a hub of information and a central location for clients seeking transitional support while living in and/or relocating to Winnipeg. EUTC operates in downtown Winnipeg at 275 Portage Avenue, 2nd Floor. This location provides more than 4,000 sq. ft. of office space, is both central and convenient, and is wheelchair accessible.

The best way to describe the EUTC is that it acts as a compass to find the most appropriate urban supports available to address single or multiple transitional issues. Our First Nation staff work with clients to help identify their needs and help them navigate existing resources that will respond to their situations.

Building trust is a critical first step with our clients; our organization, and our staff are non-judgmental, and we emphasize that we are here to help and provide support.

Chris Prince, EUTC Program Manager

Over time, the EUTC has built and maintained an up-to-date inventory of resources, programs and services available to assist First Nation (First Nation) clients with day-to-day issues, including housing, social assistance, addictions, resources for youth and services/programs in the areas of training/employment and education. Resources may be used with counsellors’ assistance, support and advocacy, or clients may exercise their self-help option.

A critical element of the EUTC is our close connection to First Nations in Manitoba and the ability of our staff to assist clients with communicating with their respective First Nations. While First Nation citizens may reside in Winnipeg, they still have the right and option to access their First Nation’s resources, exercise their Treaty rights, speak their language and engage in traditional practices.

EUTC believes that Indigenous people experiencing transitional issues should have access to resources that support a healthy balanced life and wellness in physical, mental, spiritual and emotional areas.

EUTC Contact:

200-275 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B2B3
Phone: 204-954-3050
Toll Free: 1-866-345-1883

Status Card Program

We are a Trusted Source department specializing in assisting individuals with the completion of applications for registration and Secure Certificate of Indian Status Cards (New Status Cards).

Our services encompass helping both adults and children register to obtain an Indian status and secure a registration number. Additionally, we facilitate the application process for SCIS, including renewals and replacements.

Convenience is key for us. We understand the importance of accessibility, which is why we welcome walk-ins without the need for appointments. Our team is available to assist you Monday through Friday, ensuring that your needs are promptly addressed.

Trust us to guide you through the process of obtaining your Indian status and Secure Certificate of Indian Status Cards efficiently and effectively. Your journey toward recognition and documentation begins here.

2SLGBTQQIA+ Support Program

The 2SLGBTQQIA+ Support Program at the Eagle Urban Transition Centre (EUTC) is committed to advocating for, uplifting, and supporting Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual+ First Nations people. We work to remove barriers, promote acceptance, and create safe spaces where individuals can embrace their true identities with dignity and pride.

Many 2SLGBTQQIA+ First Nations individuals face systemic challenges, including discrimination, lack of safe housing, barriers to healthcare, and limited access to culturally relevant services. These challenges often result in higher risks of violence, suicide, and displacement. Our program aims to address these issues by fostering awareness, advocating for meaningful policy changes, and developing community-driven solutions.

Our Services & Initiatives:

✔ Advocacy & Awareness – Educating AMC staff, First Nations leadership, and the public about the realities faced by 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals to foster inclusivity and systemic change.
✔ Housing & Healthcare Support – Developing programs and referrals to ensure equitable access to safe housing and culturally appropriate healthcare.
✔ Cultural & Youth Engagement – Hosting cultural workshops, community events, and school collaborations to provide safe spaces for 2SLGBTQQIA+ youth, such as drum-making and dreamcatcher crafting.
✔ Community & Crisis Support – Offering assistance to those facing homelessness, violence, and social isolation, ensuring access to culturally sensitive resources.
✔ Pride & Visibility – Leading AMC’s participation in events such as the Winnipeg Pride Parade to demonstrate unwavering support for the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community.

At EUTC, we believe that every 2SLGBTQQIA+ person deserves safety, respect, and belonging—not just within urban centres but in every First Nation across Manitoba.

For more information, support, or to collaborate with our program, please contact Bella Willman at bwillman@manitobachiefs.com. Together, we can build a future rooted in acceptance, cultural pride, and community strength.

IRS Program

The IRS Cultural Worker will offer emotional and cultural support to First Nation IRS survivors, their families, and Two-Spirit and 2SLGBTQQIA+ community members to aid in the healing process. Recognizing that many survivors are Two-Spirit, we will focus on raising awareness and providing education to foster a deeper understanding of the legacies of the Indian Residential School (IRS) system, as well as offering training support to First Nations communities.

By designing personalized support plans that honour each individual’s unique experiences and needs we emphasize holistic well-being, skill development, and creating actionable healing paths while offering necessary support and assistance.

Our counselling team provides a safe and affirming space for emotional, mental, and spiritual growth, supporting traditional healing and recovery through culturally based values, Elder’s guidance, workshops, healing circles, and principles that honour survivors, families, communities, and Two-Spirit teachings.

We will continue meeting with clients, including Two-Spirit survivors, to review their progress, address challenges or concerns they may encounter, connect them with health, mental health, and social services, and advocate on their behalf when needed.

The Indian Residential School Program team is committed to upholding confidentiality, safety, respect, warmth, trust, honesty, empowerment, diversity, self-care, acceptance, traditions, ceremony, cultural teachings, role modelling, and professional competency—ensuring that all survivors, including our Two-Spirit relatives, feel honoured, valued, and supported.

Community members are the knowledge keepers of their own journeys, and our team is here to walk alongside you in recognizing the strengths, resilience, and gifts you already carry.

For more information:
EAGLE Urban Transition Center
2nd Floor, 275 Portage Avenue
PH: 204-954-3050

IRS Cultural Workers Contact Info:

Hazel Merrick
hmerrick@manitobachiefs.com
431-277-3050

Eagle’s Nest Program

The Eagle Urban Transition Centre (EUTC) operates the Eagle’s Nest Project, serving as a valuable resource for urban First Nations youth who find themselves outside of the traditional education system and job market.

Located at St. John’s Leisure Centre, 601 Aikins Avenue, in Winnipeg’s North End, the Eagle’s Nest Project benefits greatly from the City of Winnipeg’s unwavering support, which plays a pivotal role in its success.

The primary objective of the Eagle’s Nest Project is to assist 60 First Nations youth each year in achieving their personal and professional aspirations. This support system aims to empower them with the confidence and skills necessary to either return to school or secure employment.

Catering specifically to First Nations youth aged 15-30 who are not currently enrolled in school or employed, the Eagle’s Nest Program provides comprehensive opportunities for both personal and professional development.

The program’s approach is rooted in the four parts of the medicine wheel, focusing on the Spiritual, Emotional, Physical, and Mental well-being of participants. By addressing these aspects holistically, the program seeks to empower youth effectively.

Operating from Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 3:30 pm, the program spans a 12-week period. It offers three annual intakes: September to December, January to April, and May to August. This scheduling structure ensures that the program remains accessible to participants throughout the year.

What we offer:

• First Aid CPR Level C Certificate
• Level 1 Food Handlers Certificate
• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training(ASIST)
• Non-Violence Crisis Intervention Skills Training (NVCI)
• Mental Health First Aid Certificate
• Housing Certificate
• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
• Daily skill development activities
• Training and Employment Counseling
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Recreation Activities
• Nutrition Program
• Workshops/Presentations by Urban Service Providers
• Aboriginal Culture, language and traditional skill building
• Social skill and strategies development
• Tours at Post Secondary Institutions

Please call for the next start date; applications are accepted throughout the year. 

You can also reach out to :

Desiree Martin
Program Coordinator
dmartin@manitobachiefs.com

General Inquiries: amceaglesnest@manitobachiefs.com

Eagles Nest Program Centre
601 Aikins St.
Winnipeg, MB
R2W 4J5

For more information, please call 204-954-3075.

Download Eagle’s Nest application form here

New Beginnings Program

The New Beginnings Program helps First Nations and their families facing homelessness and need support in maintaining housing in an urban environment. Staff are friendly, approachable, and welcoming to urban-residing First Nations citizens, making them feel welcome and encouraging them to use our services repeatedly.

Through a collaborative approach, the EUTC prioritizes meeting the housing, employment, mental health and addictions needs of urban First Nation residents. Community resources are provided to individuals and families based on their needs, including furniture, medical services, and free resources. Our team provides one-on-one support and advocacy during employment income assistance and medical appointments until other community resources can take over. The program provides damage deposit assistance to homeless participants or participants at risk of homelessness. The damage deposits provided the necessary assistance in securing housing. EUTC covers the costs of birth certificate identification and referrals to the Assiniboine Credit Union for a bank account. We advocate for the waiver of fees for MPI photo identification cards.

The Youth Housing Transition Counselor aids those aged 18-29 at risk of homelessness, offering housing assistance, essential identification, and personalized support.

• Coordinated Access Points for Naatamooskakowin.
• Housing assistance & support.
• Provide resources & Referrals.
• Provide advocacy.
• Identification.
• Cultural activities and workshops.

The Adult Housing Transition Counselor provides a similar role for those aged 30- 65, focusing on housing stability, documentation, and removing barriers like damage deposits.

• Coordinated Access Points for Naatamooskakowin.
• Housing assistance & support.
• Provide resources & Referrals.
• Provide advocacy.
• Identification.
• Cultural activities and workshops.

The Mental Health & Addiction Counselor offers compassionate support and personalized care for those facing mental health and addiction challenges, guiding them toward healing and recovery.

• One-on-one counselling.
• Detox and Treatment support.
• Referrals.
• Advocacy.
• Provide a combination of traditional and contemporary healing.

The Employment and Training Transition Counselor empowers job seekers with resume assistance, interview preparation, and financial support for work gear and training.

• Provide work equipment– Boots, safety glasses, safety vest, gloves etc.
• Resume and interview skills
• Employment and Training opportunities (WHIMIS, First Aid/CPR, Food Handlers, Flag Staff etc.)

Together, these counsellors address diverse needs, fostering independence, stability, and well-being for individuals of various ages and situations.

200-275 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B2B3
Phone: 204-954-3050
Toll Free: 1-866-345-1883

Fresh Start Program

The Fresh Start Program (Housing First) assists First Nations adults aged 18-65 to overcome homelessness.

The Fresh Start Program is a First Nation housing project in partnership with End Homelessness – Reaching Home, and Doorways Winnipeg, both built on the principles of the Housing First Program. Doorways Winnipeg is an innovative initiative that will help end homelessness for the most vulnerable individuals in Winnipeg.

“Naatamooskakowin” is the name of Winnipeg’s Coordinated Access System. Elder Belinda Vandenbroeck gifted the name Naatamooskakowin in March 2022. It is a Cree word meaning “a place to come to for help, shelter, or resources.”

Naatamooskakowin is a new way for people to connect quickly with the housing and supports they need. This resource is for people who experience homelessness and face barriers to finding a place. These barriers may include things like needing a place that is accessible for a disability, needing a place for you and your kids, or not having family or friends in town who can help you out.

Designed under the Housing First philosophy, the Fresh Start Program does not require individuals to demonstrate that they are ‘ready’ for housing. No resident is required to be sober or abstinent to qualify for housing. Participation in the program is also voluntary. In contrast to what has been traditionally believed, this approach differs from the orthodoxy of ‘treatment first’ approaches that place homeless people in emergency services and require them to address specific issues (addictions, mental health) before they are deemed ‘ready’ for housing (having received medical care or treatment).

Program Objective

Fresh Start works with 40 Indigenous (Ages 18-65) community members looking to leave chronic or episodic homelessness. The program offers a safe environment, Monday to Friday, programming, supportive staff, cultural education, and abundant developmental opportunities. 

Fresh Start aims to provide monthly sweats, medicine picking, naming ceremonies, and one-on-one support with an Elder or Knowledge Keeper as a part of the community member’s healing process.

200-275 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B2B3
Phone: 204-954-3050
Toll Free: 1-866-345-1883

Patient Advocate Unit

The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Indigenous Health (WRHA-IH) and AMC Patient Advocate Unit (PAU) have entered into a collaboration since 2009, whereby the WRHA-IH supports the creation of the AMC-PAU and the work of that team of Navigators and Program Assistants. Their primary purpose is to provide outreach services to connect First Nations individuals to health, housing and social service support needed to live safely in the community, whether in Winnipeg or outside of Winnipeg.

The main focus of the PAU is to assist and support First Nation individuals with their concerns and issues that they have encountered within the healthcare system in the areas of advocacy and navigation services. The PAU receives referrals from WRHA-IH Central Intake, walk-ins, and call-ins, as well as direct referrals from the Grand Chief’s Office (GCO), Chief & Councils, Health Directors and outside agencies. The prevalent client issues include:

• Medical relocations,
• Housing issues,
• Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB),
• Consultation (family, medical, and legal),
• Transportation resources
• Medical matters for individuals receiving or who recently received care from WRHA facilities/programs and who require advocacy.

Each year the number of clients continues to grow. There is a need for advocacy services for First Nations people to ensure their medical needs are met, and their issues are addressed equitably and timely.

Direct Referrals: 

200-275 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B2B3
Phone: 204-987-4120
Toll-Free: 1-888-324-5483
Fax: 204-944-0582

In-Hospital Referrals: 

Indigenous Health Programs – Central Intake
Phone: 204-940-8880
Toll-Free: 1-877-940-8880
Fax: 204-943-1728

Special Needs Advocate Unit

Welcome to the Special Needs Advocate Unit, where our mission is to empower and support clients in effecting positive change in their situations. We achieve this by collaborating closely with you to identify solutions, access services, locate resources, and safeguard your rights. Our range of services is designed to cater to the needs of individuals with special needs, disabilities, or mental health challenges, whether they are on-reserve or off-reserve.

Our Services

Intake Assessment to determine what is needed for you, your child(ren) and/or an adult with special needs, disabilities or mental health issues so we can determine what services are required.

If you reside on-reserve, you can seek assistance from various individuals and services, including your Jordan’s Principle Coordinator, Jordan’s Principle Case Manager, Nurse, Child and Family Services (CFS), Home and Community Care, Education or Health Director, Social Services worker (EIA), Justice, Daycare, and the Chief.

For those living off-reserve, referrals can be initiated by self, a family member in person, or through a recommendation by any professional service provider in the fields of Health, Education, Justice, Housing, or Social Services.

1. Intake Assessment: We start by conducting an assessment to determine the specific requirements for you, your child(ren), or an adult with special needs, disabilities, or mental health issues. This helps us identify the necessary services and support.
2. Complaint Resolution: We assist you in navigating the complaint process, addressing concerns, and filing grievances to resolve any issues related to services.
3. Service Coordination: We ensure a smooth and continuous coordination of services, both on-reserve and off-reserve, to guarantee that your needs are consistently met.
4. Education & Awareness: We offer education and awareness programs covering various aspects, including nutrition, financial matters, and social issues relevant to your situation.
5. Resource Linking: Our team connects clients and their families with community resources such as transportation, housing assistance, financial aid, and additional support.
6. Emotional Support: During challenging and stressful times, we provide emotional support to both clients and their families, offering a compassionate hand.
7. Care and Support Planning: Collaboratively, we develop a Care and Support Plan that outlines responsibilities and timeframes involving family members and service providers. This ensures that everyone involved in the child’s or adult’s life is aligned in meeting their needs.

Short-Term Respite Services

Our Off-Reserve Respite Program aims to achieve the following goals:

• Provide families with special needs children the opportunity to handle daily chores and responsibilities.
• Deliver personalized Respite Support Services to meet the unique needs of each child.
• Enhance the quality of life for all children with special needs by assisting with daily activities.
• Promote family involvement in decision-making processes, strengthening family bonds.
• Collaborate with other resources, such as schools and hospitals in urban centres.

Moving Forward

The Special Needs Advocates work in collaboration with Jordan’s Principle-Child First Initiative Coordinators and Case Managers to address the health and social needs of community members, with a strong cultural focus, whether on-reserve or off-reserve. Our goal is to ensure a seamless continuum of care.

If you require further information or wish to begin the intake process, please contact our Administrative Assistant at specialneedsadvocate@manitobachiefs.com.

We are here to advocate for the well-being of children and adults with special needs, disabilities, and mental health issues and to provide the support and solutions you need.