Manitoba Métis Federation opens new traditional housing centre
The Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) has opened a new housing facility aiming to give those struggling with homelessness a hand-up.
The MMF officially a 20-unit transitional housing space located at 670 Main Street on Monday.
The facility, named Fre Maachi meaning 'fresh beginnings' in Michif, features four two-bedroom suites and 16 studio apartments.
It will work as an access point to provide addiction and mental health care, and will allow residents to access employment, training and cultural programming. The units are fully furnished, and the facility has access to computers.
“We want them to avoid returning to homelessness. We want to include employment abilities. We want a personal well-being,” said Will Goodon, Minister of Housing and Property Management with the MMF.
Goodon added that one of the goals is to provide a hand-up to people who are in need of assistance, and help build them back up.
“That self-esteem, that idea that I’m worthy is so important to be able to succeed in life,” he said. “If you don’t have that, then you’re just going to provide pain for yourself and pain for your family, and that’s not what we want to do.”
The housing development is part of the federal government’s $12.7 million rapid housing initiative, and received $3.4 million from the City of Winnipeg.
Goodon said while Fre Maachi is a good step, he wants to do more to help dealing with homelessness among Metis citizens.
“Winnipeg has a very obvious need when we drive around and look around our city and see those in unsheltered situations or at risk of it,” he said.
More information about Fre Maachi can be found by calling 204-589-1613.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.