Greetings,
Hugs and kisses, friends and family, love and laughter, are the best things in life that are free. We can all use them right now, especially during these unexpected, difficult times when old wounds are re-opened by the recent discoveries at the Kamloops and Marieval Residential Schools. 🧡
If you are having a hard time processing this news, please reach out and speak to one of our Regional Housing Resource Workers for support.
On top of this, we have been dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic for over a year, which has affected all of us in many different ways. With hopes, the Alberta government will safely lift all restrictions soon, but remember, we still have to act responsibly, continue to be safe, and look out for one another.
On a lighter note, we are excited to get back out in the community! Your Tenant Relations Officer will be contacting you to schedule a visit and inspection soon. Please continue to report any required repairs you notice in your home, and we will go over them during the visit. We can’t wait to see you!
In the coming months, we will be getting many of our older properties renovated and rent-ready! The renovations are always so nicely done and moving a family into a beautiful home is one of our favourite things. 🏡 💕
From all of us at Metis Housing, we wish you all a happy and safe summer.

Sincerely,

Bindu Bonneau
Senior Director of Operations
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Residential School Response |
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The last month has been incredibly difficult for many of us hearing of the 215 young souls found at an unmarked graveyard at Kamloops Residential School, and the 751 found at an unmarked graveyard at Marieval Indian Residential School. While the existence of residential schools and the abuses within them are not news to us, they are a painful reminder of the trauma experienced within our Indigenous communities.
We stand with the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation and the Cowessess First Nation, and offer our heartfelt sympathies. These discoveries have brought up a lot of feelings within our community – sorrow, helplessness, anger, and many feelings we can’t yet find words to express.
We know the Kamloops Residential School and the Marieval Residential School are not isolated cases, as there were at least 25 such schools within Alberta alone. We welcome Minister Wilson’s recent funding announcement, but much more must be done to achieve true reconciliation and to heal these long-lasting, intergenerational wounds.
If you need support during this time of grief and mourning, please know there are programs to help you move forward and honour those affected by this tragedy.

Please reach out – someone is waiting to take your call.
- MNA Wellness Program: 1-877-729-0261
- Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
- Indian Residential School Survivor Society: 1-800-721-0066
- National Indian Residential School Crisis Line: 1-866-925-4419 (24/7)
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Nihgi MĂ©tis Seniors Lodge
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Nihgi MĂ©tis Seniors Lodge has been a vital part of our community since 1968. On August 31, 2021 Nihgi MĂ©tis Seniors Lodge will close its doors, as the current facility no longer provides the quality of housing we desire for our elderly.
We are excited to announce we will be building a new senior’s facility in its place! The Métis Nation of Alberta's Health Department conducted a Continuing Care Needs Assessment reflecting the needs of the aging Métis population. At Métis Housing, we recognize that we must provide safe, adequate, and affordable housing for our elders to enjoy.
We are holding community engagement sessions soon to ensure the new facility meets our community’s specific needs. The new facility will be a “green build”, keeping sustainability and longevity at the forefront of its development.
Thank you Nihgi for 54 amazing years!
We will continue providing information about the new facility and our community engagements as we go, so subscribe to our social channels below!

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New Program Announcement!
Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy
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We are excited to announce our Reaching Home Program - a community-based initiative aiming to prevent and reduce homelessness.
The program will allow for immediate interventions and long-term solutions to address homelessness within MĂ©tis communities.
MĂ©tis Capital Housing will provide:
- Housing services including short-term rental supplements, damage deposit, moving expenses, landlord mediation
- Support and resources to prevent eviction
- Services such as financial support, public transit tickets, access to oral care programs
- Economic integration services including assistance with accessing income benefits; job search, resume writing, and interview preparation; and education and training assistance for entering the work-force
- Social and community integration including access to recreation centres, participation in sports activities, and Indigenous Elder consultation
- Clinical and treatment services such as mental health and addiction support, along with partnering with Child and Family Services to support youth in, or who are coming out of care

- Funding to cover shelter and transitional housing costs, including the renovation of emergency shelters and transitional housing units; demolition of existing buildings and construction of a new facility for transitional or permanent supportive housing; construction of non-residential facilities such as drop-in centres and counselling spaces; and the repairs of damages resulting from housing placements.
The program will be rolling out over the next few weeks for our MĂ©tis citizens in need.
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Indigenous Housing -
The Direction Home

A report by The House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources (HUMA) on Indigenous housing recommends funding and services need to be administered directly through Indigenous organizations and communities.
Effective housing services are Indigenous-led and support wrap-around services in addition to housing. MĂ©tis Housing (MĂ©tis Urban Housing Corporation and MĂ©tis Capital Housing Corporation) is one of those organizations.
MĂ©tis Housing has successfully provided housing to low- and moderate-income MĂ©tis and Indigenous families since 1982.

We are committed to working in cooperation with all stakeholders to ensure the housing we provide meets the needs of our families.

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What We Heard –
Housing Needs Assessment Report
To better understand the housing needs of the MĂ©tis community within Alberta, an assessment survey was conducted at the beginning of this year. We wanted to know how you are using our programs, and how we can better serve our community.

1062 people responded!
We heard you and have come up with some great recommendations to address your feedback.
Click on the link to find out more!
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