'Natural setting' near Westminster Ponds to be new site for Indigenous-led homeless shelter this winter

The grounds behind Parkwood Hospital, with land backing onto Westminster Ponds, has been chosen as the new site for a winter shelter for Indigenous people experiencing homelessness this winter, Atlohsa Family Healing Services announced on Tuesday. 

The site will be on St. Joseph's Health Care's unoccupied Neurobehavioural Rehab Centre, which lies behind the Parkwood Mental Health building.

Atlohsa and St. Joseph's have had a partnership for about two years, for the Biigajiiskaan Indigenous Mental Wellness program — which combines traditional Indigenous medicine with western medicine and psychiatry to treat substance abuse problems.

"This relationship has been building and growing stronger," said Raymond Deleary, Atlohsa's executive director. "When the Parkwood Institute received news about what happened with the River Road Golf course, they reached out and said 'Hey, is there anything we can do? Let's look at some potential opportunities,' and this site was one of those opportunities."

"This is a really good example of allyship and partnership within the community," he added. 

A previously announced shelter on the site of the River Road Golf Course had to be scrapped because a fire destroyed much of the clubhouse where programming would take place. 

'Critical part of winter response'

Some neighbours expressed opposition to the River Road shelter location. A city of London worker, who lives near the golf course, has been charged with arson in the Nov. 7 fire. 

The loss of the golf course location was difficult, said Kevin Dickins, who oversees housing support for the city. 

"The Indigenous-led temporary shelter site is a critical part of our winter response," Dickins said. "We will continue to work closely with Atlohsa and are committed to supporting them as they deliver this important service this winter."

St. Joseph's Health Care said it's "honoured" to work with Atlhosa and the Indigenous community. 

"It's important that we work together as partners in the community to to address issues like homelessness," said Roy Butler, the hospital's president and CEO. "There was an opportunity here for us to offer that location, and we're just thankful that the city engaged in it and we were able to find a solution for this urgent aid."

Maximizing land space and facilities

The site offers lots of land space, which Atlohsa will use to make their community members feel more at home. They plan to bring in traditional structures, like teepees and wigwams. 

According to Deleary, the land component of this location is its most desirable aspect, similar to what River Road offered.

"There's this natural setting where there will be opportunity for land based activity and just having that sense of home, a sense of space that we were searching for."

Deleary describes the building's facilities as "in top-notch condition" and is grateful that there is finally a viable solution in place for the winter.

"There's a parking lot beside the building, that will allow the trailers that the city will bring in, to be parked on, and the building has washroom and kitchen facilities, along with a meeting space that will meet Atlohsa's needs," added Butler. 

The site is expected to be ready for operation by Dec.1 and will run through the end of March.