AMC Responds to Provincial Plan to End Chronic Homelessness

January 15, 2025

Treaty One Territory, Winnipeg—The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) Acting Grand Chief Betsy Kennedy shared her mixed feelings regarding the Manitoba government’s Your Way Home strategy to end chronic homelessness, which was announced earlier today.

“While the initiative to house 700 Manitobans within 30 days is commendable, the AMC must point out that many of the unhoused individuals in Manitoba are First Nations. These individuals often relocate to urban centres for various reasons, only to find themselves without a place to call home as they attempt to access essential services,” said Acting Grand Chief Betsy Kennedy.

The Acting Grand Chief Kennedy further emphasized the critical role of the Eagle Urban Transition Centre, established by the AMC in 2005, in supporting First Nations individuals and families to secure housing, employment, identification, and banking services. “We have been operating our own Housing First program to assist our relatives. We do not want to see our services streamlined under a sole lead and coordinator. Instead, we need genuine collaboration with this government to ensure that the voices and expertise of First Nations are central to addressing this crisis and that the work our staff do complements this strategy. We are expecting to be invited to the working group given the work we have been doing for the last twenty years with Manitoba and Canada’s support.”

Acting Grand Chief Kennedy also expressed concern that the ambitious provincial strategy may redirect funding away from existing First Nations-led programs to purchase buildings and offer supports currently being provided. “Provincial strategies must not undermine or displace First Nations-led initiatives already working on the frontlines, both on and off-reserve. These programs are critical to addressing the unique challenges facing First Nations citizens in dealing with homelessness. The AMC has written this government to ensure they were included in the co-development of such strategies. Unfortunately, this is the first time we have heard of this strategy.

The Acting Grand Chief further urged the Manitoba government to work in meaningful partnership with the AMC and its member Nations to ensure culturally appropriate and sustainable solutions are implemented. “The province’s strategy must not undermine the sovereignty of First Nations in responding to homelessness among their citizens. We need to see a commitment to maintaining and enhancing current programs rather than sidelining them under a centralized approach under a government.

The AMC’s position is clear: any effective and sustainable strategy to end homelessness in Manitoba must prioritize meaningful partnerships with First Nations, respect existing First Nations-led initiatives, and allocate adequate resources tailored to the specific needs of First Nations peoples.

“We urge the Premier of Manitoba to ensure the province’s strategy aligns with these principles,” concluded Acting Grand Chief Betsy Kennedy.

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For more information, please contact:

Communications Team
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Email:  media@manitobachiefs.com

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