December 2, 2020
The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs (Assembly) would like to congratulate and recognize the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre on their work to secure funding for their College Street property – which will directly impact the ongoing issues of the lack of adequate urban housing for the Mi’kmaq and Aboriginal peoples in the Halifax Regional Municipality.
In 2017, the Assembly was informed about Public Services and Procurement Canada’s intention to dispose of a Correctional Services Canada property in Halifax through the Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office’s (KMKNO) Consultation Department. After internal discussions were had with the Assembly, KMKNO and the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre, the decision was made for this property to be obtained through consultation and donated to the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre.
“We are pleased to have been part of the process to provide this property to the Friendship Centre and congratulate them on this most recent funding announcement,” said Chief Sidney Peters, Co-Chair of the Assembly. “We all recognize the need for urban housing for our people and being able to work together to find a solution such as this, has been great for all involved.”
The Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre’s mandate is to assist Aboriginal peoples in the Halifax/Dartmouth Regional area in a variety of ways, including with housing concerns. The acquisition this property and the recent funding will go a long way to provide support for urban Mi’kmaq and Aboriginal housing needs, including accommodating a 30-bed shelter, ten room shared housing use and seven one to two bedroom modular units that will be available by December 2021.
“We look forward to seeing this project come to completion and the positive impact it will have for the Mi’kmaw and Aboriginal community in the area,” said Chief Peters.