The band had cots, blankets and pillows stockpiled because of the pandemic. (Cook-Searson Tammy Jim/Facebook)

By Derek Cornet

quick solution

Motel reaches capacity as LLRIB and Scattered Site partner to open second emergency shelter

Jan 25, 2021 | 2:17 PM

With plunging temperatures over the weekend and concerns about people sleeping outdoors, a second homeless shelter was quickly opened in the tri-communities.

Lac La Ronge Indian Band Chief Tammy Cook-Searson explained the initiative began after she was told there were 15 people living in a teepee in downtown La Ronge. Knowing the temperature was reaching -40 C with the windchill at night, she said a special arrangement was hastily reached with the Scattered Site Outreach Program, which is currently operating a homeless shelter out of a local motel that is at capacity.

“We had to just come up with something in quick order because, in the meantime, people are out there, don’t have anywhere else to go other than trying to keep warm with a campfire or in a tent or a teepee they have made,” Cook-Searson said.

The resulting agreement is Scattered Site staff will now temporarily operate from Kitaski Hall where cots have been set up. There is also access to a kitchen and laundry services. In the next couple days, Cook-Searson said a nearby building currently used for isolating COVID-19 patients and closed contacts will be free and the homeless will have access to seven rooms there.

Scattered Site, which typically operates downtown La Ronge, has experienced difficulties lately. It was recently closed for two weeks after staff had to go into isolation after coming into possible contact with a person with COVID-19. Then, when it reopened, workers weren’t permitted to allow clients to come inside the building due to similar concerns.

Riderville

Click Click Boom - Riders Make the Playoffs Interesting

8h ago

Rollover kills teen

Man charged after teen killed in rollover near Hall Lake

Oct 15, 2024

Sounding the alarm

Sask. NDP highlights red flags on Sask. Party platform

Oct 13, 2024

“We still need a long-term solution to be able to help the most vulnerable in our community, the homeless population,” Cook-Searson said, adding there is a meeting between tri-community leadership and Scattered Site tonight. “This is something that always comes up every year. We always have an issue of not having a place.”

Kikinahk Friendship Centre Executive Director Ron Woytowich, who oversees Scattered Site, is thankful the band stepped up and provided a place for the homeless. He said there are already 12 people staying at the motel and noted Scattered Site is no longer permitted by the province to have people sleep overnight at the downtown location.

Woytowich mentioned Scattered Site staff also recently received layoff notices because the federal government has yet to renew the contract and there is no funding by the province after March 31.

“We always give lay off notices because otherwise if it’s not renewed or you can’t make a deal, then you have to pay your staff out,” he said, adding if the funding comes through the notices will be rescinded.

–

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno