Mushkegowuk launches winter clothing drive

In response to a crisis due to limited accommodation for the homeless in Timmins, an effort is being made to ensure people living on the streets are at least given a fighting chance to survive the cold winter months ahead.

Mushkegowuk Council has launched a three-week clothing drive and will be collecting donations of new or cleaned mitts, toques, scarves, boots, coats, socks, ski pants, balaclavas, thermal wear and blankets.

From Nov. 17 to Dec. 5, donation bins will be set up at two locations.

During business hours, donors are invited to ring the front bell at Mushkegowuk’s office at 101 Cedar St. S. or the back door entrance from the parking lot at 150 Algonquin Blvd. E.

Karen Innes, director of Social Development with Mushkegowuk Council, explained the collected items will be distributed by members of the Fire Keeper Patrol.

The Mushkegowuk Fire Keeper Patrol provides outreach for urban Indigenous members experiencing homelessness, substance abuse, addiction, and mental health concerns in Timmins.

The vast majority of Timmins’ homeless population is Indigenous, according to the city’s own studies.

Many of those people are members of Mushkegowuk First Nations who came to Timmins to access services or a variety of other reasons, said Deputy Grand Chief Natasha Martin.

“I see people who I grew up with, people from my community, people from back home and it’s sad,” she said. “So, you ask yourself, ‘What can we do?’ We have to plan short term and long term as to how we can really help people, and this is a short-term remedy – just getting people properly dressed, because if they’re not dressed properly, it leads to other serious health issues like frostbite.”

Jason Wesley, acting director with Mushkegowuk’s Youth Department, said if people want to donate clothes but can’t make it out to either of the drop-off locations, they can contact the Youth Department, and a staff member will come by to pick it up.

They can reach the Youth Department by emailing youthdepartment@mushkegowuk.ca or by phoning 705-268-3594 ext. 606 during normal business hours.

Mushkegowuk Council is a regional organization that represents the collective interests of the Kashechewan, Fort Albany, Chapleau Cree, Missanabie Cree, Moose Cree, Taykwa Tagamou and Attawapiskat First Nations in northeastern Ontario.

For media inquiries, contact:

Mushkegowuk Council Deputy Grand Chief Natasha Martin

natashamartin@mushkegowuk.ca

705-406-4990

Ron Grech

Communications, Mushkegowuk Lands & Resources

rongrech@mushkegowuk.ca

705-365-8308

NT5