A new report reveals many Indigenous Elders in Manitoba have great difficulty accessing safe and affordable housing.

The report was written by the Senior Aboriginal Research Committee and is entitled Minosin Kikiwameaning “A good house”.

Some of the barriers to housing for those interviewed for this report include the issue of poverty, as many respondents struggle to make ends meet and feel that public support is not enough.

Other barriers include living with a disability or some form of physical limitation, which may arise from the ongoing impacts of colonialism and racism.

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Committee co-chair Lucille Bruce says her team realized there was very little literature across the country on Indigenous seniors and says this project fills an important gap.

“This is very important research that we hope will create change in terms of policy and how we approach housing and services for our Indigenous seniors here in Winnipeg,” said Bruce .

The report lists several recommendations, including limiting restrictive housing policies while respecting culturally informed decision-making, ensuring housing affordability, and ensuring Indigenous leaders are involved at all levels of design and implementation. housing development.

Joanne Mason, the committee’s other co-chair, says she believes this report will elicit a better response than in previous years.

“For many years, our people have not been heard, and now, in the last two or three years, the governments, both federal and provincial, are starting to hear us, and I think we are being heard on this point ” Mason said.

“It’s phenomenal and it feels good, and our seniors need the help we’ve been asking for.”

The full report can be viewed here.

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