Jason Mercredi speaks at the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan conference of homelessness and housing (Submitted Photo/Metis Nation Saskatchewan)

By paNOW Staff

HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS

Métis Nation wraps up conference on housing and homelessness

Mar 8, 2024 | 2:00 PM

Addressing the desperate housing needs in Saskatchewan was one of many topics discussed at a conference hosted by the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan (MN-S).

More than 300 people, from government and industry partners to Métis citizens and service providers came together for the Building Community – Saskatchewan Housing and Homelessness Conference in Saskatoon.

“We had stakeholders from across the province to come learn about funding opportunities that were available and then really the last day was trying to establish some strategic priorities for us to get some collective action on in the community,” said Social Infrastructure Director with the MN-S, Jason Mercredi.

Mercredi mentioned that the conference focused heavily on issues of housing and homelessness that continue to plague Saskatchewan.

He said one of the conference’s outcomes was a need for more housing builds.

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“We talked about some solutions and there’s going to be a group working towards that over the next year or so and then the same thing for consistent, long-term funding for support programs across the province,” said Mercredi.

Developing plans for addiction services and financial strategies were also action plans that came from the conference.

The conference also encouraged those attending to think outside the box when it came to finding solutions for homelessness and housing.

“We have had successes, but clearly, we’re not getting a handle on it. So, we’re going to have to work in a more coordinated way and collaboratively get a handle on this,” said Mercredi. “We’d like ourselves and our First Nations brothers and sisters to have a seat at the table and our collective action and coordination and working together is how we’re going to get ahead.”

On top of working with outside agencies, the MN–S Infrastructure and Housing team will create interministerial cooperation to follow up with citizens, partners, and community leaders to determine the feasibility and financial responsibility of putting words into action.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com