36 Spring/Summer 2026 SAFE HOUSING self-worth. That builds independence. And it empowers Mom to know that she can do this on her own.” Daoust says it’s crucial that Indigenous culture plays a role in providing all types of support for Minwaashin Lodge clients. “Culture is the core of giving them a sense of belonging and understanding that culture is a part of them,” she says. “It’s their ancestors. It’s their history. They can get that cultural peace that will connect them to their community, because here, we are a community within an urban community.” Beendigen, which means “come in” in Ojibwe, started off as a seven-bed crisis home in 1978. It has since grown to a 30-bed shelter and remains the first and only Indigenous women’s emergency shelter in Thunder Bay. Beendigen’s communications director Cassandra Blair is not surprised that there has been an increased need for Indigenous women requiring a shelter in Thunder Bay. “Generally, we know that Indigenous women face more barriers,” she said. “And when I’ve looked in the past at the rates of violence against women, Indigenous women are more affected and the numbers are higher. With that in mind, I think there is like a high demand for Indigenous women to have somewhere safe to go.” Executive director Colleen Maloney emphasizes that the organization runs on the belief that “everyone should live a life without violence”– and further, that Indigenous women in crisis not only have a right to safe housing and program- ming, but also to comfort. She recalls her approach when she first started her position: “I asked them what they needed – what could I change in the house to make it a better place for you and your family? The first thing they said was the beds; they reminded them of jail, or they weren’t comfortable.” From there, Maloney took action, changing out all the beds, mattresses and bedding for more comfort- able options. “The house should be a place to heal and a source of comfort,” she says, “with Indigenous culture incorpor- ated into all aspects of the house.” Over the years, Beendigen’s services have also expanded. “Our primary service is based around our women’s shelter,” Blair says. “But we have a whole bunch of different wraparound services. We have transitional housing and anti-human trafficking support. We have counselling. We have children’s programs. We have an addiction program, prenatal court, health outreach and we also operate a helpline that runs 24 hours a day, [daily], called Talk For Healing.” Elder Diane Davis and Elder Linda Barkman. Photo courtesy of Beendigen. Beendigen Family Counsellor Chekotah Mason. ktigaaningmidwives.com Serving Indigenous Families in the Nbisiing Territory HEALING PATHWAYS EMDR HEALING PATHWAYS EMDR COUNSELLING & COUNSELLING & CONSULTING CONSULTING Allow yourself to live life to the fullest, Allow yourself to live life to the fullest, visit visit healingpathwaysemdrcounselling.ca healingpathwaysemdrcounselling.ca to learn more or to learn more or contact Shelley to discover a treatment contact Shelley to discover a treatment that’s right for you. that’s right for you. 403-593-1807 shelleypompana@ymail.com 403-593-1807 shelleypompana@ymail.com Shelley Pompana Spear Chief is a clinical social worker certified EMDR consultant with over two decades of experience. She offers EMDR consultations along with consultations working with Indigenous clients along with numerous workshops. In addition, she is the author of EAGLE WINGS FLAPPING: Beaver Learns to Manage Big Emotions.
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