AMC Celebrates Second Anniversary of N’Dinawemak – Our Relatives’ Place
December 1, 2023
Treaty One Territory, Manitoba
AMC Communications
Treaty One Territory – The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) is celebrating the second anniversary of N’Dinawemak, a 24/7 drop-in warming area and a safe place to sleep that provides culturally appropriate and trauma-informed services and support for unsheltered relatives. N’Dinwemak was established through a collaborative partnership with End Homelessness Winnipeg, led by a coalition of organizations, including AMC’s Eagle Urban Transition Centre (EUTC), AMC’s First Nations Family Advocate Office (FNFAO), the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre (AHWC), Anishinative, the Downtown Community Safety Partnership (DCSP), and CommUNITY 204.
In the eighteen months under the AMC’s oversight of N’Dinawemak operations, N’Dinawemak staff have facilitated intakes to urgently support 513 First Nations citizens experiencing houselessness in Downtown Winnipeg. Dedicated N’Dinawemak and FNFAO staff have secured housing for over 100 individuals, assisted more than 300 individuals in obtaining identification or accessing EIA benefits, and organized nearly 1,500 medical visits through the Health and Wellness Coordinator.
The extent of assistance offered by N’Dinawemak highlights a more significant concern, emphasizing the need for cooperation among all levels of government to partner with First Nations Leadership in this province. “First Nations citizens disproportionately bear the consequences when service gaps persist unaddressed,” said AMC Grand Chief Cathy Merrick, “and so we urge all levels of government to adopt a First Nations-led strategy in addressing the underlying causes of homelessness and implementing solutions to overcome the very specific systemic barriers experienced by our relatives.”
Since its inception, N’Dinawemak has successfully moved beyond basic emergency support to providing services that address poverty, homelessness, complex medical needs, housing support, and building employment skills. The shelter has supported relatives across Turtle Island – including from Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, and the North-West Territories. The services provided by N’Dinawemak staff encompass a wide array of advocacy efforts, including support with accessing CRA, income tax benefits, medical, dental, vision, hearing aids, northern transportation, justice, legal aid, taxes, old age pension, CPP, detox, treatment, and more.
For more information, please contact:
Communications Team
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Email: media@manitobachiefs.com
About the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
The AMC was formed in 1988 by the Chiefs in Manitoba to advocate on issues that commonly affect First Nations in Manitoba. AMC is an authorized representative of 62 of the 63 First Nations in Manitoba with a total of more than 151,000 First Nation citizens in the province, accounting for approximately 12 percent of the provincial population. AMC represents a diversity of Anishinaabe (Ojibway), Nehetho / Ininew (Cree), Anishininew (Ojibwe-Cree), Denesuline (Dene) and Dakota Oyate (Dakota) peoples.