Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition breaks ground on Inuit women’s shelter

Adams says this will be the first shelter of its kind south of Inuit Nunangat, with programming and services rooted in the values of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, or traditional Inuit knowledge. 

“We want to ensure that when Inuit women come to this … shelter that they’re surrounded by the beauty of our culture,” she said. 

Responding to an ‘urgent need’

While there are Indigenous shelters in Ottawa, including Minwaashin Lodge for First Nations, Inuit and Métis women, organizers say demand for temporary housing far exceeds capacity. 

“They’re turning away 300 Indigenous women a year and at least 30 per cent are Inuit,” said Joan Riggs, a facilitator with the OAC. 

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