Women's shelter battles funding crunch

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Montreal's Native Women's shelter seeks financial support . The board of directors wishes to raise the public's awareness about obstacles that face shelters Aboriginal women and children use because of government budget cutbacks .

The shelter, which never closes, provides Aboriginal women and children a safe environment while in Montreal. It houses a maximum of 16 woman and children. A culturally-based model which employs such ceremonies as smudging or praying in different Native languages is available for the clients making the Native Women's Shelter of Montreal the only one of its kind in the province.

Many women use the shelter which opened it's doors in October 1988. It also helps some women to get and stay off the streets.

This Montreal shelter is the only shelter that addresses Aboriginal women's needs. Women from across Canada and Quebec's northern Communities also use this facility. Many women from northern communities come to Montreal for medical appointments or treatments, and they get to stay at a safe place during their visit. While others may seek shelter from abusive situations.

The centre understands that their may be a language barrier for Aboriginal women and children in Montreal and integration from isolated communities to large urban areas often poses a problem. The shelter also does referrals for the clients for social or medical services and tries to keep the facility as comfortable an environment as possible.

There are stipulations and rules to follow when using the women's shelter. Clients must remain clean and sober at all times and must show an interest for the services at the centre. Workshops on self esteem and drug and alcohol abuse are available at the shelter, however other self esteem and counseling may be done outside the shelter. Because of the financial cut backs , bus tickets issued to woman when attending outside workshops or AA meetings have been affected. Monetary donations, clothing, furniture and food are needed. Quality of meals served to the clients has also been affected.

Jean Stevenson, the program director of the shelter is from the Peguis First Nation in Manitoba. She has lived in Montreal since 1972 and holds a Masters degree in Social Work which she obtained from McGill University.

" We want to promote an awareness of Aboriginal women and children and create a strong link with the urban community " says Stevenson. Students from various training institutions usually do their practicums at this shelter. The centre also has a fund-raising project they are currently looking forward to.

On March 6 and 7, the event is an effort to celebrate International Woman's Day which honors Aboriginal women as well. Aboriginal people are invited to hold musical, theatrical and dance performances, and artists are encouraged to display their paintings and art pieces. Aboriginal authors may read their poetry and present their published books. Artists are asked to donate art work which will be sold at the event with the proceeds going to the Native Woman's Shelter.

"We have dynamite board of directors and a fund raising committee that works very hard for the shelter. " says Stevenson. For further information call the shelter at (514) 933-4688.