It’s nice to sit around a camp fire, enjoy a cup of bush tea or coffee and chat with friendly folks about your life and challenges.
The City of Yellowknife is partnering up with the Arctic Indigenous Wellness Foundation. In a news release issued Thursday, Mayor Rebecca Alty says
“the City feels this is a great pilot project, and is an opportunity for individuals experiencing homelessness to participate in cultural activities, sharing circles and, if so inclined, to speak with an Elder or access traditional counselling.”
Donald Prince is the Executive Director for the foundation, and also works at the camp.
He tells CKLB, this new partnership is going to see the camp open earlier in the morning and provide breakfast for those wishing to start their day off on the right foot.
“We are continually looking at how we can help people and we need to make efforts to meet people where they are at,” added Prince.
He says he will also be seeking additional staff later this month. The healing camp is located in the bush near the city’s field house. It has seen over 3000 people walk the path into the camp to access their services at this location since it opened in May 2018.
A view of the Healing Camp in the bush near Kam Lake in Yellowknife.
