The Nawican Friendship Centre and emergency homeless shelter in Dawson Creek have a new operational partner, the Aboriginal Housing Management Association. The centre, a longstanding space for urban Indigenous families and community members, has been active in Dawson Creek for over 50 years. Stacey Bourque, the manager of the association, presented findings from a recent assessment of community issues and concerns to the city council. The aim is to bridge gaps in care for vulnerable individuals, particularly those struggling with addiction, while also addressing community grievances related to public intoxication and substance use.
Bourque highlighted the importance of combatting compassion fatigue within the community and mentioned consultations with various stakeholders such as the city, RCMP, Northern Health, South Peace Community Resources Society, and local business owners. The association is in the process of developing a formal complaint system and mitigation strategy to enhance community safety and support for homeless individuals. Building trust and fostering better relationships with the community, especially local businesses facing challenges, is a key focus.
Plans are underway to collaborate with the Dawson Creek Native Housing Society to secure additional housing for those in need, offering comprehensive support services to help individuals transition off the streets. Bourque emphasized the necessity for more resources to tackle addiction and housing insecurity in Dawson Creek, noting the shortage of housing options and mental health services in the area compared to larger urban centers.
The Nawican Friendship Centre is also pursuing a temporary use permit from the city to relocate the shelter about 300 meters from its current location on 102 Avenue. This move is expected to address community concerns and potentially increase the shelter’s capacity from 17 to 24 beds. Mayor Darcy Dober expressed appreciation for the association’s efforts in engaging with the community and implementing changes based on feedback received over the past six weeks.