'They're damaging an Indigenous icon': Thunderbird House in Winnipeg dealing with vandalism, copper theft from roof
The Thunderbird House is looking to help the people of South Point Douglas heal as the gathering place has become a target for damage, vandalism, and theft.
Damon Johnston, a co-chair of the Thunderbird House board of directors, said the building has seen a lot of damage since the end of the summer, with people throwing rocks through the windows and stealing copper off the roof.
“I hope people will try to appreciate what they’re doing,” he said.
“They’re damaging an Indigenous icon. One of the only buildings in this city designed by the famous Douglas Cardinal, one of the top First Nations architects in Canada.”
He added that on top of the damage that has been caused by vandalism and theft, the building is also over 20-years-old and in need of repairs.
Johnston said this type of vandalism and damage is something that is being experienced throughout the South Point Douglas neighbourhood.
“It’s not just Thunderbird House here now, it’s all these neighbourhood organizations, including Main Street Project, Salvation Army, Siloam Mission, because they’re experiencing the same kind of things,” he said.
“So we’re coming together. Really it’s about addressing homelessness, mental health issues, addictions, all that.”
He noted the organizations want to work with the City of Winnipeg to help deal with these types of issues in the area.
“We want to kick-start that again with the city, and answer the question together with our business people in the area, the neighbourhood people that live here, organizations – what is the future of this neighbourhood?” Johnston said.
He said instead of punishing people, they need to address safety, security and the protection of property.
Johnston noted that this is why the Thunderbird House is working with the Mama Bear Clan, Comm.UNITY.204 and Fearless R2W to help those in the community who are dealing with mental health issues, addiction, or are tied up in criminal activity.
“It’s our position that there’s enough of our people in jail already,” Johnston said.
“We want to create a healing process with them. Create the opportunity for them to make a decision to change their lives. Work with us to do that, we’ll have support workers. We’ll have health workers, we’ll have all those things.”
Johnston described it as a “multi-organizational, multifaceted, harm reduction-based approach.”
Johnston encourages people to treat the Thunderbird House with respect and not steal any more copper.
- With files from CTV’s Glenn Pismenny.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
BREAKING Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife’s edge.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.