2023 Annual Report Now Online
The NiGiNan Housing Ventures 2023 Annual Report is now available to view and download!
In it, you’ll find information about NiGiNan, our sites, our programs and services, our staff, stories from our residents, awards and presentations, and our financials.
The NiGiNan Housing Ventures 2023 Annual Report is now available to view and download!
In it, you’ll find information about NiGiNan, our sites, our programs and services, our staff, stories from our residents, awards and presentations, and our financials.
View and download the NiGiNan 2023 Annual Report now!
Webinar - "Moving the Dial" on: Building Indigenous Community Relationships
Omamoo Wango Gamik is a multi-generational supportive home operated by NiGiNan Housing Ventures. It is a 42-unit, affordable home in Edmonton, Alberta that aims to keep Indigenous children out of care. Watch the webinar and discussion to learn more about the success of Omamoo Wango Gamik and how the housing model is helping to keep families together and limiting families’ and youths exposure to experience with Child and Family Services. Webinar & Live Discussion presented by Dr. Cynthia Puddu and Cheyenne Greyeyes, MacEwan University - a CBRCanada Webinar
CBR Canada Webinar: Moving the Dial On: Building Indigenous Community Relationships
Webinar & Live (March 30, 2023) Discussion presented by Dr. Cynthia Puddu, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Health and Community Studies, MacEwan University; and Cheyenne Greyeyes, Student and Research Assistant, MacEwan University, and former Youth Worker, NiGiNan Housing Ventures
Omamoo Wango Gamik opened in fall 2020, a multi-generational supportive home operated by NiGiNan Housing Ventures. It is a 42-unit, affordable home in Edmonton, Alberta that aims to keep Indigenous children out of care. Watch the webinar and discussion to learn more about the success of Omamoo Wango Gamik and how the housing model is helping to keep families together and limiting families’ and youths exposure to experience with Child and Family Services.
Community Based Research Canada | Premiered on 5 Apr 2023
“In 2020, NiGiNan Housing Ventures (NHV), a registered non-profit charity formed to address housing needs and requirements in Edmonton, started a housing initiative named Omamoo Wango Gamik. This is a pilot program where youth formerly in foster care are housed in a multi-generational housing facility that provides wrap-around supports along with access to Elders and other cultural supports. The pilot created a community-based research opportunity to follow the experiences of youth entering an Indigenous-led housing initiative. Residents from this housing pilot were invited to participate in a research project funded by the Making the Shift Youth Homelessness Social Innovation Lab. What started as a research project with the intent to understand how an Indigenous-led program can help prevent Indigenous youth houselessness has grown into a more significant collaboration between researchers and community partners. This presentation will describe how using Indigenous Ways of Knowing has fostered a reciprocal relationship between the researchers and community partners and how this collaboration has led to changing the research to best suit the needs of the community partner.”
- Quoted text from video description on YouTube
Links to content on this page
omamo wango gamik page: https://www.niginan.ca/omamoo-wango-gamik
Community Research Canada webinars & discussion page: https://www.communityresearchcanada.ca/webinars-and-discussions
Webinar video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEOR4J379Mo&t=4s
Slideshow: https://www.communityresearchcanada.ca/_files/ugd/97b5d1_0e6df54ec33442259bbacab74efc0ae8.pdf
Keri Cardinal on Feeling at Home in Her New Role as CEO of NiGiNan
Please join us to welcome Keri Cardinal Schulte to NiGiNan as our new CEO. Keri joined our team in October and we are excited to see her advance our mission and vision to provide supportive housing in Edmonton. Read on to learn more about Keri and the transition into her new role.
On her second day as the new Chief Executive Officer of NiGiNan Housing Ventures (NiGiNan), Keri Cardinal Schulte was welcomed to the team with a pipe ceremony held in her honour. Overwhelmed with emotion and warmth, she recognized that her new role will be unlike anything she has experienced in the past.
Nearly two months into her position as the new CEO of NiGiNan, Keri Cardinal is busy getting familiar with operations of the organization and meeting everyone on the team while ensuring the work continues as usual. The team at pipikwan pêhtâkwan was able to catch up with Cardinal while she was nesting in her new office to discuss her role and her passion for decolonizing leadership.
She believes that Indigenous women are natural leaders. Cardinal currently has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Native Studies and Canadian History from the University of Alberta. With plans to return to post-secondary to pursue her Master’s Degree, she hopes to learn more about the distinct leadership qualities of Indigenous women. “I want to lead with love and compassion rather than rules and authority,” she says.
"I got a lot of my leadership skills from non-indigenous men, but I want to look at different ways of doing things."
─ Keri Cardinal, CEO, NiGiNan Housing Ventures
As a member of the Bigstone Cree Nation, Cardinal has lived in Northern Alberta for most of her life. Currently, she calls amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton) home. She lives with her husband and two dogs. She has three adult children, two grandsons and twin granddaughters.
Most of Cardinal’s career has been in public service, primarily working with the Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) program in Slave Lake and Edmonton. When asked about making the transition into her new role, she said it felt natural to explore a related industry with strong advocates who operate from a place of compassion. Her new role started in October 2022, and since then, she has already felt closer to her Indigenous identity. Cardinal says she’s happiest when she feels connected to Indigenous Peoples and that this work makes it possible for her to stay meaningfully involved.
"I am thrilled to come to work every day. I feel welcome here."
─ Keri Cardinal, CEO, NiGiNan Housing Ventures
When asked about what sets NiGiNan apart from other housing agencies, Cardinal explains the value of an Indigenous-led philosophy and worldview guiding the programming. “What you'll find here is that we all have a communal vision. We come in with our individual ideas, and once we start working and talking and building up these relationships, our visions all change.” NiGiNan operates in a way that reflects traditional Indigenous ways of knowing and being, including centering the importance of ongoing community support and facilitating individual growth through love.
Another feature that sets NiGiNan apart from other housing agencies is the ongoing support component. “You can't just think everybody has a place to live—like, they're all in hotels, and now we can move on with our lives. It's not like that; it's not sheltering—it’s providing people with permanent, supportive homes. It’s ongoing,” she says.
Cardinal speaks fondly of the community aspect of Ambrose Place, one of four housing developments operated by NiGiNan, and the type of people that make it feel like home. “You think unhoused people are tough, and you get to know them and they're not. They need compassion and support. They need love, and that's what we're here for,” says Cardinal.
Much like her predecessor, Carola Cunningham, new CEO Keri Cardinal believes that a home is where you feel accepted for who you are, and her vision is to continue providing that space of acceptance for the community at NiGiNan.
New Chief Executive Officer of NiGiNan Housing Ventures, Keri Cardinal Schulte
Webinar - Omamoo Wango Gamik: Creating a home for Indigenous youth during a global pandemic
CBR Canada’s recent live discussion, “Omamoo Wango Gamik : Creating a home for Indigenous youth during a global pandemic” facilitated by Cynthia Puddu, Cheyenne Greyeyes, Celina Vipond, and Jillian Ames. Presenters Dr. Carola Cunningham and Dr. Cynthia Puddu discuss the importance of focusing on Indigenous people’s spiritual reconnection to their identity which involves a relationship to all living creatures, land, culture, languages, ceremony, family and all our relations as an effective strategy for preventing Indigenous youth to be unhoused.
omamoo wango gamik: CREATING A HOME FOR INDIGENOUS YOUTH DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC
On March 17, 2022, CEO Dr. Carola Cunningham presented alongside Dr. Cynthia Puddu of MacEwan University. Watch the webinar below, review the slideshow at the link provided and read the discussion summary infographic at the end of this post.
Learn more about omamoo wango gamik by visiting the developments page here on our website.
Summary highlights of the live discussion from March 24, 2022
Links to content on this page:
omamo wango gamik page: https://www.niginan.ca/omamoo-wango-gamik
Community Research Canada webinars & discussion page: https://www.communityresearchcanada.ca/webinars-and-discussions
Webinar video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sn_U3j0S9z4
Slideshow: https://www.communityresearchcanada.ca/_files/ugd/36eba7_7fa48236145e48f8937e25a6fec65d48.pdf
Infographic: https://www.communityresearchcanada.ca/_files/ugd/36eba7_02229f045cd7412ba7c8607e48cc2122.pdf
NiGiNan receives support from Canada to provide supportive housing at former Sands Hotel
Watch the Canadian Housing and Mortgage Corporation announce a one-in-a-generation financial contribution to support the renovation of the former Sands Hotel into affordable supportive housing units for the unhoused.
Watch the Canadian Housing and Mortgage Corporation announce a one-in-a-generation financial contribution to support the renovation of the former Sands Hotel into affordable supportive housing units for people who experienced chronic houselessness. Read the article.
Carola Cunningham delivering thank-you speech begins at 14:35:00
Speech transcript:
Tansi, Oki, bonjour, hello, okisikow iskwew net-see-ka-son Ochi niya amiskwaciy-wâskahikan Treaty six
I would first like to acknowledge Creator, however that looks for you, for the gifts of life and land, and all our relatives. We are in this life to live it.
Without pîsim - the sun, without nîpîy - the water, without utin - the wind, without askîya - the blanket that covers the earth, we would not have maskihkîy - medicine, we would not be able to sustain ourselves.
The standing people, the four-legged, the winged ones, the crawlers and swimmers, the flora and fauna are the beautiful gifts of life.
We can sometimes lose connection to some of those life givers. But we must remember to care for the things that sustain life so we can ALL live.
When our people stand up for the land, for the water, for clean air, we are so often met with resistance. When we stand up for our people, we are so often standing alone.
Today we are thankful to those at the Government of Canada and the City of Edmonton for standing up for our people and all vulnerable people living in our community.
An important part of building a strong community is ensuring the people in it are cared for. This is what caring for a community looks like.
This contribution will allow us to provide a permanent home and a fresh start for our residents using a housing first approach that is proven to enact change in a humane and cost-effective way.
Our team provides 24-hour wraparound support and care for our residents so they, too, can reconnect to those life givers. So they can live.
We have had great success with programs at our two other developments, Ambrose Place and Omamoo Wango Gamik, where our residents have taken more control of their lives and we have saved the City millions of dollars in the use of emergency services.
Investing in permanent supportive rapid rehousing is a solution that will positively impact the community for generations to come.
CEO Carola Cunningham receives honourary doctorate from MacEwan University
NiGiNan Housing Ventures CEO, Carola Cunningham received an honorary doctorate awarded by MacEwan University for her outstanding work improving the lives of some of the most vulnerable people living in the community. Watch the video and read an article from CBC News.
Watch CEO Carola Cunningham accept an honourary doctorate degree from MacEwan University on November 15, 2021.
From poetry to the oilsands: MacEwan University bestows honorary degrees
Carola Cunningham, Di Brandt, and Dave Tuccaro are the recipients this round
CBC News · Posted: Nov 15, 2021
A poet, a First Nations business owner and the CEO of an Indigenous-focused non-profit are among the latest to be honoured by MacEwan University, which bestowed three honorary doctorates this week.
Carola Cunningham, Di Brandt, and Dave Tuccaro are the recipients this round.
Cunningham is the CEO of Niginan Housing Ventures, a non-profit charity focused on Indigenous housing in Edmonton. She received her degree Monday.
Brandt is a poet, writer and professor who has worked mainly in Manitoba and has achieved widespread acclaim for her poetry and literature.
Tuccaro is from Mikisew Cree First Nation and founded the Northeastern Aboriginal Business Association. He operates six successful businesses, the core of which are based in the oilsands.
They both receive their degrees Tuesday.
'Love and kindness'
Cunningham, who is Metis from St. Albert, was emotional in her acceptance of the honorary degree on Monday.
"I just feel so humbled and really lifted up by my colleagues and peers and people around me in the city of Edmonton that recognize all the hard work that I've done," she said in an interview.
For decades, she has worked to improve the lives of some of the city's most vulnerable.
She was instrumental in the creation of Ambrose Place, a 42-unit permanent supportive housing program guided by an Indigenous worldview.
…
From Feeling Helpless to Happy, Brian's Story
We interviewed Brian, a tenant at Ambrose Place, to discuss his experience getting the help he needed to do better for himself. Brian went from feeling angry and helpless after losing his leg in a house fire and stuck living in a bus shelter, to feeling happy and loved while living in his own apartment and connecting to people and his culture. Staff from Ambrose Place and Edmonton City Police discuss the impressive changes Brian made after being connected to the right resources.
We interviewed Brian, a tenant at Ambrose Place, to discuss his experience getting the help he needed to do better for himself. Brian went from feeling angry and helpless after losing his leg in a house fire and stuck living in a bus shelter, to feeling happy and loved while living in his own apartment and connecting to people and his culture. Staff from Ambrose Place and Edmonton City Police discuss the impressive changes Brian made after being connected to the right resources.
Connecting to our identity, culture, traditions and language through art
Kevin Cardinal (Cree name: Mihkwâpêmakwa – Red Willow) is an artist-in-residence at NiGiNan Belvedere. Kevin met with Elders for an online unveiling of his new art piece – a mural that will bring our community together.
Kevin Cardinal (Cree name: Mihkwâpêmakwa - Red Willow), at NiGiNan Belvedere (photo: Cole Buhler)
April 23, 2021 (Edmonton, AB) – Kevin Cardinal (Cree name: Mihkwâpêmakwa – Red Willow) is an artist-in-residence at the new supportive housing development in the Belvedere neighbourhood. NiGiNan Housing Ventures CEO, Carola Cunningham, asked Kevin to meet with Elders in the facility and hear what they envisioned for a large mural.
Kevin Cardinal’s Instagram handle: @kcardinal.artist2
“When I thought about what we wanted to put on the wall at Belvedere, I thought of (Kevin) immediately,” Carola says. “I told him about the young people coming out of care and families that were at risk of losing their kids. Kevin heard my dreams for this place, and it took him ten days to do this beautiful work.”
Kevin, looking just a little shy, unveiled the mural alongside Elders for a virtual crowd joining live. He says he doesn’t talk about the meaning behind his paintings often but he wanted to do it for Carola.
Kevin takes photos with the Elders of NiGiNan Belvedere (photo: Cole Buhler)
“Carola told me what she had in mind for this place. I took some notes, went home, and prayed about it,” he says. “I focused on the idea of youth out of the foster care system and young mothers and fathers - men and women that are disconnected from culture, ceremony, tradition and cultural identity.”
The idea for the mural came to Kevin in a dream. “I woke up in the middle of the night and sketched it out on a little piece of paper. I didn’t want to go with this background colour initially, but that was the colour I saw in my dream. I’m kind of stubborn – I wanted to put in orange there, but I went with all the colours I saw in my imagination.”
Kevin explains that his characters, painted in vibrant blues, purples, and reds, represent the interconnected energy between families, Elders and Knowledge Keepers. “I wanted something visual to represent the spirit world or a higher power,” he says. “To help young people connect to themselves, their identity, culture, traditions and language.
Kevin signs his mural in Cree syllabics (photo: Cole Buhler)
“I have people in my life that these characters represent...people that introduced me to ceremony. There’s a transference from culture and tradition – it’s transmitted to a person that’s able to teach culture and tradition. There are people who carry that. I have them all connected.”
“The knowledge coming from (the painting), it connects to that higher power – Creator,” Carola says. “It’s so amazing. It’s beautiful. It’s throughout their bodies.”
Kevin, taking questions from the audience, told stories about how he started his career as a painter, how his dreams have influenced his work, and his spiritual experiences.
“I’ve discovered I can put whatever I want on a canvas or a wall and I can have it represent whatever I want it to represent,” Kevin says. “A tree represents a person. A bear represents culture. That’s what I’ve discovered – nobody can determine for me, what I want to represent. I use these symbols to represent the passing on of energy.”
The mural is located on the top floor of the supportive housing complex, which is used for community gatherings and programming for residents in the building.
NEWS RELEASE: NiGiNan and Right At Home open 42 permanent, supportive housing units
A new, Indigenous-led housing initiative will provide homes to people who are level one AISH recipients or on income support who are unable to find adequate housing.
September 28, 2020 (Edmonton, AB) - A new, Indigenous-led housing initiative will provide homes to people who are level one AISH recipients or on income support who are unable to find adequate housing.
“NiGiNan exists to serve people in need by providing affordable and permanent supportive housing in Edmonton,” said Carola Cunningham, CEO of NiGiNan Housing Ventures. “With this project, the Right At Home Housing Society stepped into a partnership with NiGiNan and demonstrated true allyship. Together, we are making headway on reconcilACTION in the housing sector.”
The 42 unit, affordable housing project in Belvedere is a partnership between NiGiNan Housing Ventures and the Right At Home Housing Society. Previously, NiGiNan was running a re-housing program out of the Transit Hotel, the partnered organizations are now working to house some of those same people NiGiNan served in the area.
“Right at Home and our partner Niginan Housing Ventures are thankful for the funding and operational support from the federal, provincial and municipal governments. Permanent Supportive Housing is an investment in people and community. This new building in Northeast Edmonton will bring dignity, safety and greater health outcomes to those who are most vulnerable in our community," said Stuart Kehrig, chairman of the board of directors for the Right At Home Housing Society.
Belvedere tenants will have access to a myriad of services including resident Indigenous Elders, 24 hour support staff, and a housing support worker provided by the partnering agencies.
“Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. With today’s announcement 42 families will have homes near the services they need. This is a great example of the National Housing Strategy at work,” said Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and the Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
The Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta jointly contributed $6 million to fund the project.
“I am pleased to see the new housing project open its doors. These apartments will give those most in need access to a stable home with supports to help them get back on their feet. Through this project, Alberta’s government is delivering on its commitment to address the need for more permanent supportive housing.” Josephine Pon, Minister of Seniors and Housing.
The City of Edmonton provided $3 million through their Cornerstone grant to ensure Edmonton’s most vulnerable have a place to call home.
“Increasing the supply of permanent supportive housing is a key priority for the City as housing like this is an essential element in ending homelessness and poverty. I’m glad that this housing complex will provide Edmontonians who are struggling with a safe place to call home and the safety and support they need to lead healthy and connected lives, " said Don Iveson, Mayor, City of Edmonton
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About The Right At Home Housing Society
The Right At Home Housing Society builds and manages high quality affordable housing to meet the needs of our community. The Society provides positive alternatives for those currently without a home, living in substandard accommodation, or spending a disproportionate amount of their income on housing. A range of supportive services are also provided to our residents including mentor and peer support.
About NiGiNan Housing Ventures
NiGiNan Housing Ventures is a registered charity that was formed to address the particular needs and requirements of Indigenous People living in Edmonton. NiGiNan is dedicated to providing supportive affordable housing opportunities for individuals and families of Indigenous ancestry, who have not been successfully served by any other organization in Edmonton.
NiGiNan's first development, Ambrose Place, is one of the most successful programs and housing complexes for Edmonton's formerly hardest to house Indigenous persons.
Ka nâkateyimiwehk – Protection; keeping something from harm
We got first word of the impending pandemic through the news: China and Italy were experiencing something extreme and it was on its way around the world. We watched as the virus made its way to Canada. By the beginning of March, Alberta saw its first presumptive case. Our immediate response was to meet with residents to explain the pandemic and how it may impact their lives and the delivery of service from staff at Ambrose Place. We didn’t even know what it was or what the future of our service would look like, but we, as frontline workers, had to stay strong. The next step was to secure personal protective equipment (PPE), toilet paper, cleaning supplies and food – before the masses scooped everything up. The news said supplies were depleting from grocery stores and barren shelves confirmed it.
Visitors were no longer permitted at Ambrose Place and our residents were confined to their units when they were home. Medication and food were delivered directly to resident units, which put workers at the forefront of close contact.
At the beginning of the isolation orders, many of us were very scared considering a few residents were in and out despite orders to remain in place and we were making contact with each resident every day. All activities were put on hold, but we continued to smudge the building and pray for our residents, staff and community. The Office of the Chief Medical Officer (OCMO) updates were posted for residents to stay informed, but the updates kept staff informed just as well. The updates made us both more and less scared at the same time; contraction numbers were climbing, but the information available was growing as well.
A consistent communication plan was established with our partners, Alberta Health Services (AHS) Mental Health & Addictions and Homeward Trust, including weekly video calls to provide guidance about the OCMO updates and interruptions. Part of the communication plan included access to PPE inventory, access to additional resources to support residents in place and provide access to funds for additional costs incurred due to COVID-19. Our needs increased throughout the pandemic and our partners were an integral support to the health and safety of everyone at Ambrose Place.
Figure 1 Masks made by Ambrose Place residents to protect against COVID-19
Although we never officially had a case, we were declared an outbreak site as we met the OCMO requisites of two or more residents and staff with matching symptoms. This was often the case as many residents that use substances commonly experience mild cough, runny nose and temperature changes. The clarification of the definition of an outbreak caused us to fall under more stringent rules for reporting, yet staff had to continue business as usual, the new usual. Being placed in the eye of the storm every day is frightening, but our residents are family and their safety is worth the risk.
After being declared an outbreak site, the next step was to establish a new internal protocol to refer each staff and resident symptom to the Lead LPN/Health Manager who then works with the Executive Director. This created a stronger sense of control and confidence in each situation. In hindsight, this support should have been implemented earlier, but we are all learning how to respond to a pandemic of this magnitude.
As of June 1, we began moving to a new sense of normalcy. This includes a new manner of dining in the cafeteria: each floor now dines separately, at half hour intervals, to a maximum of 14 residents per mealtime. The morning smudging ceremony now sees a maximum of seven residents per session, over two sessions daily. Some residents still keep to their units for mealtimes and remain fearful of going out. Our strategies of masking, social distancing and keeping hands and surfaces clean provides a sense of protection at Ambrose Place. We are still nervous about the virus, but we have more control over our facility and a little more confidence in our response. We will be ready for the next one.
Ambrose Daniels’ legacy lives on through Ambrose Place
When NiGiNan opened its first facility in 2014, 46% of people experiencing houselessness in Edmonton identified as Indigenous, compared to just over 5% of the city’s overall population (source). Ambrose Daniels was one of these people.
Ambrose was born and raised in the Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement 125 km northeast of the city. He was surrounded by a supportive network of community members and worked in his trade until health complications forced him out of work and eventually led him to using substances to cope.
Ambrose made his way to Edmonton to live with a new-found family in an inner-city apartment. There, he showed great generosity in providing a warm place to sleep for those without a home.
His generosity, unfortunately, led to an eventual eviction became unhoused. Housing was difficult to access as an Indigenous person living with health and substance use issues.
Shelters were nearly always full and his situation led him to contract pneumonia. Without a warm place to rest and recover, he passed away at the age of 54 while living on the streets of Edmonton.
The love and support shown by Ambrose during his time living unhoused and his eventual passing inspired the creation of Ambrose Place. Ambrose accepted those that needed a warm place to sleep as a friend and without judgement.
At Ambrose Place, there is no pressure to immediately quit substance use. There is a sense of community that encourages healthy living, which leads to residents choosing healthier habits.
If a facility like Ambrose Place had come to Edmonton sooner; Ambrose, and many more like him, may have been able to survive or could have passed comfortably, feeling loved and at home.
Gathering Place shuts down after local business owners appeal permit
The Gathering Place/Mawacihitowin Otah, a local community space for Edmonton’s unhoused, is closing its doors after a group of local business owners and the Fort Road Business Association appealed NiGiNan’s permit allowing operation in the former Transit Hotel.
“We are deeply saddened to temporarily close down the Gathering Place. It’s our goal to limit the disruption to these crucial services, especially with winter just around the corner,” said Carola Cunningham, CEO of NiGiNan Housing Ventures. “NiGiNan Housing Ventures strives to build positive relationships with our neighbours in any community we develop low income housing or provide services. We have a proven track record with what we’ve done in McCauley with Ambrose Place - unfortunately in this case, we were not provided the opportunity.”
NiGiNan was approved for a City of Edmonton restaurant permit, as advised by the planning department, to run the Gathering Place in the old restaurant space of the Transit Hotel. Letters were soon sent out to community members and business owners in regards to the permit. At that time, the Fort Road Business Association along with a few local business owners hired a lawyer and brought NiGiNan to the appeal board. NiGiNan’s permit was revoked as of September 19, 2019.
“It’s our priority to work with our partners and the community to find a space to continue offering the services provided by the Gathering Place,” said Dave Ward, Executive Director of NiGiNan Housing Ventures. “What we’ve learned through our work with Ambrose Place and our other housing projects is that patience and compassion goes a long way. Our model is working - we provide emotional, spiritual, physical and mental support in a culturally sensitive environment. We are contributing to a stronger and healthier Edmonton community everyday.”
The Gathering Place opened up in the former Transit Hotel in November 2017 to provide people with a place to connect with loved ones, have a hot meal or just take a break from the constant battle of surviving on the streets. In August 2019, NiGiNan surveyed the community members accessing the Gathering Place and found that out of 579 people queried, only 105 people were experiencing houselessness. The remaining 474 people were considered working poor - Edmontonians who were unable to afford both food and rent. Many of the patrons were single mothers with children stopping in for breakfast before heading to school.
NiGiNan's first development, Ambrose Place is one of the most successful Indigenous-led housing program in Alberta.