Former Sands Hotel transformed into supportive housing and emergency shelter space
A new supportive housing facility called "Pimatisiwin" that caters to the needs of Indigenous people has officially opened in Edmonton.
Fifty-four hotel rooms inside the old Sands Hotel, near Fort Road and the Yellowhead Trail, were transformed into apartments as part of the project.
"I lived, actually at the corner, right on the main floor. I had my own room," said Marilyn Bird, a resident at Pimatisiwin.
She moved into the facility last winter before it was complete.
"I just felt lost. But when I moved to where I am now I felt like 'Oh, this is home, there are Indians around,' I loved it," Bird said with a laugh.
Tenants will also have access to healthcare supports, addiction and treatment services as well as cultural ceremonies.
There are six "enhanced care" suites offered in partnership with Alberta Health Services (AHS) designed for people who would be discharged from hospital into homelessness.
The facility also features 55 emergency shelter spaces.
"For the first time they're all going to be together in one building sharing that common area and being a support to one another," said Keri Cardinal, with NiGiNan Housing Ventures.
"We're going to build a community through that and we're very excited about that," Cardinal added.
What sets Pimatisiwin apart from other facilities is people accessing the space and supports don't have to be sober. There are also peer support workers with first-hand experience dealing with trauma and addictions.
"I've been where you've been, there's a way out," said James Bellerose, one of the peer support workers at Pimatisiwin.
"To be able to give them that hope, because a lot of people on the streets do not have hope," he added.
NiGiNan Housing Ventures said it has two additional housing projects in the works with details to be released in the future.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Jeremy Thompson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian family stuck in Lebanon anxiously awaits flight options amid Israeli strikes
A Canadian man who is trapped in Lebanon with his family says they are anxiously waiting for seats on a flight out of the country, as a barrage of Israeli airstrikes continues.
Suspect in shooting of Toronto cop was out on bail
A 21-year-old man who was charged with attempted murder in the shooting of a Toronto police officer this week was out on bail at the time of the alleged offence, court documents obtained by CTV News Toronto show.
Scientists looked at images from space to see how fast Antarctica is turning green. Here's what they found
Parts of icy Antarctica are turning green with plant life at an alarming rate as the region is gripped by extreme heat events, according to new research, sparking concerns about the changing landscape on this vast continent.
DEVELOPING 2 dead after fire rips through historic building in Old Montreal
At least two people are dead and others are injured after a fire ripped through a century-old building near Montreal's City Hall, sources told Noovo Info.
Yazidi woman captured by ISIS rescued in Gaza after more than a decade in captivity
A 21-year-old Yazidi woman has been rescued from Gaza where she had been held captive by Hamas for years after being trafficked by ISIS.
A 6-year-old girl was kidnapped in Arkansas in 1995. Almost 30 years later, a suspect was identified
Nearly 30 years after a six-year-old girl disappeared in Western Arkansas, authorities have identified a suspect in her abduction through DNA evidence.
Dolphins 'smile' at each other when they play and to avoid misunderstanding, study finds
For humans, flashing a smile is an easy way to avoid misunderstanding. And, according to a new study, bottlenose dolphins may use a similar tactic while playing with each other.
Pit bulls in B.C. pet mauling tested positive for meth, cocaine, says city
Three pit bulls involved in a deadly attack on another dog last month in Kamloops, B.C., tested positive for methamphetamine and cocaine, and the city is going to court to have them put down.
Tax rebate: Canadians with low to modest incomes to receive payment on Friday
Canadians who are eligible for a GST/HST tax credit can expect their final payment of the year on Friday.