Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations meets with city and province to solve housing and addiction issues

January 16, 2024 (Treaty No. 6 Territory) — Today, the Edmonton Public Safety Committee,

including Grand Chief Cody Thomas, met with the City of Edmonton to address housing and

addiction issues. We continue to advocate for a move beyond temporary shelters toward

lasting, transformative solutions for the well-being of Indigenous Peoples.

In the spirit of unity and collaboration, Grand Chief Thomas spoke with the City of Edmonton

and the Government of Alberta today, working towards a goal of establishing a long-lasting

collaborative action plan. This meeting was a good start, and a move in the right direction.

We expect many more conversations and encourage the Government of Canada to join us

at the table and in the work that will follow.

Housing is a right for all humans. An endless cycle of eviction defeats the purpose of healing and drives people into precarious, unsafe conditions. We have arrived at a critical juncture in our united commitment to address the challenges of housing, mental health and addiction in the streets of Edmonton.

We must share our strengths to develop a wide scope of supports — providing increased

access to mental health and addiction services and ensuring comprehensive and sustained

pathways toward healing, empowerment, and long-term well-being. Together, we can

create lasting change that goes well beyond emergency interventions, fostering a future

where every individual can thrive with dignity and stability.

We urge everyone to remember our strength lies in these collaborative efforts, guided by the wisdom of our Elders. At this time of overwhelming need, we have the opportunity to foster understanding and address pressing issues with all available resources at the table. Through open communication and genuine collaboration, we can pave the way for positive change and the realization of reconciliation.

Media Contact: Jill McKenzie I Media Relations

pipikwan péhtakwan

jill@pipikwanpehtakwan.com