Earlier this year it was announced the emergency shelter operation of The Lighthouse Serving the Battlefords would have to close for lack of funding, however Metis Nation – Saskatchewan stepped in to keep the facility doors open for the time being. Now, the organization is seeking long-term financial stability in order to meet their mandate. The release issued Tuesday stated Liberty Athletics is creating a fundraiser event to honour the work being done at The Lighthouse. Liberty Athletics is a youth sport and recreation facility in North Battleford. The gym space is located at 771-109th Street and is offering programming at the gym, and the option of private rentals for family groups or other cohorts, as well as a long list of online opportunities as well as camps and clinics around the province.
However, organizers of the rally note this is interim funding that is only guaranteed until September. They also note the Saskatchewan government is using an “outdated” per diem model of shelter funding. The plan is to hold the rally on March 11 from noon to 1 p.m. outside North Battleford City Hall. The purpose, according to the rally’s news release, is to “bring attention to the precarious funding situation faced by homelessness shelters in Saskatchewan and the work of the main organizers who are publicly rallying every day against this situation.” A number of speakers are expected to be there including Claudia Turner – Save the Lighthouse Organizer and Client of the Lighthouse, Richard Wolfe – Save the Lighthouse co-organizer, MLAs, city councillors and Lighthouse staff.
“MN-S recognizes the need for housing often becomes entangled in bureaucracy at the expense of those most at risk. MN–S sees the urgent need for these citizens within the Battleford region and will utilize emergency COVID money to ensure they don’t fall through the cracks, especially at a time like this.” said MN–S Housing Director Christena Konrad. While the funding to North Battleford Lighthouse supported living emergency shelter will ensure that homeless populations have a shelter they can access, MN-S has also entered into broader discussions with the Battlefords Agency Tribal Council (BATC) to look at ways to address homelessness. These discussions focus on establishing strong and sustainable partnerships within the community to create holistic homelessness responses and supports to serve the Battlefords region stated Friday’s release.
By Brad Jennings
Mar 6, 2021 7:18 AM
The Metis Nation Saskatchewan (MN-S) says it will be stepping in to provide funding to the North Battleford Lighthouse Supported Living emergency shelter.
Recently the shelter was to close its doors after the Provincial Metis Housing Corporation decided to switch their funding to programs in the far north.
MN-S Housing Minister, Ryan Carriere, says the homeless are the most susceptible when it comes to COVID-19 and with no other apparent homeless shelters in the Battleford region, MNâS will take up the challenge and fund the 37-bed facility. He says discussions are also underway to determine a path toward more substantial, community funding partners that could see a shelter operate indefinitely.