THUNDER BAY – The recent murders of First Nation homeless persons in Winnipeg saddens us all and raises many serious questions about Canadian society. Our prayers and condolences go out to the family and friends of those whose lives were brutally stolen from them.
As we continue to push for an inquiry on the serious matter of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in this country – this most recent heinous crime committed against Indigenous Men raises evidence that Canada’s issues are more serious that the nations leaders would have Canadians believe. Canada, the Provinces, Territorial Leaders, First Nation leaders and Advocacy groups across this country just received a wake-up call.
As First Nation leaders, we must Step-Up! The reality that there are people on the street and wish to be homeless is not a reality that needs to remain reality. The truth is we can do more.
“Homeland Reconnect” is an action plan that needs us all to work together. It is unconscionable that many of the First Nation homeless people on Canadian streets are really people that just wanna come home, or who need advocacy and support from their First Nation communities. In weeks to come, I will be bringing this discussion to the forefront of my platform as an Ontario Regional Chief Candidate.
We can be under no illusion or should we miscalculate the magnitude of this issue, nor should forget that many of the people that are out there are our sisters, brothers, aunties, uncles, cousins, moms, dads, grammas, grampas, friends – and in many cases Our Children!!
The intent of this letter is to respectfully invoke attention toward the most vulnerable in our communities that have been displaced and who need help and support. Our Homeless are actually not homeless, they have families, they have names, rights, purpose and they have a Homeland. Homeland Reconnect is way forward – as they reach up fro help, let’s talk about ways to reach out.
Chief Isadore Day, Wiindawtegowinini
Serpent River First Nation
Candidate for Ontario Regional Chief
