By Carol Baldwin
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Wakaw Recorder
The Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN–S) broke ground on Monday, August 18th, for a new supportive housing unit in Saskatoon that will serve Métis, Indigenous, and non-Indigenous women, children and the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community members who are removing themselves from abusive situations. “There are no borders. There shouldn’t be any borders,” said Glen McCallum, President of Métis Nation-Saskatchewan. “That’s why this place is going to be open for Métis, First Nations, Inuit and non-Indigenous folks that are struggling with domestic violence, and to be able to have a safe place to come to.”
Partnering with the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, funding was secured last year for the construction and operation of a long-term, culturally specific supportive housing unit. The building will provide housing, education, and childcare for at least two years. Support workers will be present 24 hours a day to assist with everything from crisis response to facilitating available community programs, services, and documentation needs.
On Monday, executives from the MN–S government, Elders, and members of the media gathered at Kensington Link and Kensington Boulevard, Saskatoon, for the groundbreaking ceremony. Elders blessed the ground upon which the 16-unit, 24-bedroom unit will be built. Located in one of Saskatoon’s newer neighbourhoods, the facility is expected to be operating by the fall of 2026.
Rates of intimate partner and family violence in Saskatchewan continue to climb steadily, according to the latest data from the RCMP released last month. “It’s very concerning that Saskatchewan continues to have these high rates of intimate partner and family violence,” said Crystal Giesbrecht, the director of research for the Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan (PATHS) at the time of the report’s release.
SOFIA House, a shelter located in Regina, offers 39 long-term stay apartments to assist IPV survivors in rebuilding their lives after escaping abusive situations. According to its executive director, Christa Baron, the shelter is nearly always at full capacity. “That speaks to the obvious point that the need is urgent, and it continues to be ongoing,” said Baron about its waitlist of clients to support.
The Prince Albert Safe Shelter for Women provides temporary shelter, safety, nutrition, transportation, information, referrals and support to women and children who are experiencing physical, mental, sexual, emotional, and/or spiritual abuse. It can accommodate 26 residents, in a combination of women and their children. The Prince Albert Safe Shelter for Women, a non-profit, charitable organization operated by a volunteer Board of Directors, is funded through the Ministry of Justice, private donations and fundraising initiatives.
Beverly Fullerton, Minister of Health, Mental Health and Addictions for Métis Nation-Saskatchewan, says the location breaks common assumptions about where to place facilities to care for the community’s most vulnerable people. For some reason, she noted, the vulnerable, regardless of the state of vulnerability, are tucked away in the “not-so-great” areas of cities. This space, in this location, will “show they’re worthy, and they are welcome,” said Fullerton.
The MN-S facility will join Saskatoon Interval House in providing a much-needed safe environment for those experiencing intimate partner violence in the province.
Saskatoon Interval House provides safe, secure emergency accommodations for women and children in its 10-room house in Saskatoon for up to 30 days. After the initial 30 days in the emergency shelter, women can transition to Adelle House for up to one year. Adelle House is a twelve-unit apartment building that provides a safe, enriched community for women and children. Adelle House offers gated, secure housing, weekly group counselling, childcare, and staff support from Monday to Friday. Interval House is a member of PATHS, the Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan. PATHS is the member association for agencies that provide intimate partner violence services across Saskatchewan.
Abuse is never okay.
Saskatoon Interval House: 306-244-0185; Toll-free: 1-888-388-0880;
Prince Albert Safe Shelter For Women: 306-764-7233