A new shelter for Indigenous women and children struggling with domestic abuse is in the early stages of construction at Montreal Lake Cree Nation (100 kilometers north of Prince Albert). They are currently in the process of clearing land with the plan to begin construction before winter snowfall.

The 10 room, 25 bed facility will include a primary health care clinical space, family rooms, a cultural group counselling room, and a multi-purpose room for youth and children.

The Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) was able to make the project a reality through the funding support of $4.39 million from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Shelter Enhancement program. On top of that Indigenous Services Canada will also provide $856 000 per year for the first five years to support operational costs.

It’s been a long road to get the funding for the project as this isn’t the first time it’s been purposed. Shirley Henderson, Woman’s commission chair for the PAGC couldn’t believe that her dream was finally coming to fruition as she says, “This is the third time we have applied for a women’s shelter and finally got approved. You know I just felt the tears in my eyes when we were approved because I wasn’t expecting that it would ever happen.”

The Project is expected to take about 12 months to complete.