Temporary On-the-Land Camp Initiative Set to Close

by ahnationtalk on January 15, 202551 Views

The Government of the Northwest Territories  is concluding the temporary On-the-Land Camp Initiative on January 17, 2025, to shift full focus to the development of sustainable, long-term housing solutions.

Yellowknife’s shelters faced critical capacity challenges during Summer 2024, leaving more individuals without access to indoor housing options. The GNWT launched the On-the-Land Camp Initiative on November 12, 2024, as a short-term response to an urgent need, providing critical support for residents experiencing homelessness during the winter.

According to the terms of the lease agreement, the GNWT must return the site to its original statement by end of the day, January 17, 2025. To comply, all camp residents were transported to Yellowknife on Tuesday, January 14. This was necessary to allow contractors to safely remove equipment and for the operator to return the site to its original state by January 17.

The primary objective of the camp was to ensure that sufficient shelter spaces were available for individuals experiencing homelessness in Yellowknife.  A secondary objective was to offer people a chance to take a break from substance use, connect with the land, and engage in cultural activities and wellness programming.

The GNWT has been closely monitoring shelter data since the camp was established. Data from the past five weeks indicates that there have consistently been enough spaces to accommodate all those currently seeking shelter services. As shelter capacity in Yellowknife has stabilized, the camp has served its primary objective and will conclude on January 17.

Staff are on-site to actively assist camp residents with transition planning, including connections to other programs and services, as the camp closes. This includes bridging any gaps to ensure that residents returning to city-based shelters or other services receive the support they need. The GNWT has also informed partners of the camp’s scheduled closure and will work with shelter operators, as well as Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) and City of Yellowknife officials to help with the transition.

Quote

“The On-the-Land Camp Initiative has proven to be a successful intervention, providing a stable and secure environment with access to culturally relevant programming and wellness opportunities. Launched as a temporary emergency measure to address shelter capacity issues in Yellowknife, it has been a critical step in the GNWT’s broader strategy to address homelessness. This intervention has reaffirmed the need for a more comprehensive, sustainable approach that ensures all residents have access to the housing and supports they need to thrive. The importance and benefits of abstinence-based environments, and of land-based and culturally grounded supports, will continue to inform the Department’s renewed focus on more permanent solutions, such as the development of additional transitional and supportive housing options.”

– R.J. Simpson, Minister of Executive and Indigenous Affairs

Quick facts

  • The On-the-Land Camp Initiative opened on November 12, 2024.
  • The On-the-Land Camp provided a stable and secure environment for up to 30 residents. Over the course of the camp, the number of residents ranged from 6-20 with participants reporting positive experiences that included a safe, calm environment conducive to wellness and personal growth.
  • Culturally relevant programming and wellness opportunities such as beading, group counseling, and cultural activities allowed participants to reconnect with the land and focus on their well-being.
  • Since the camp opened, data indicates that Yellowknife’s shelter capacity has consistently met the needs of all individuals seeking services, ensuring access to safe accommodations with the closure of the camp.
  • Shelter data from the past five weeks indicates the combined number of individuals using overnight shelters and those attending the camp has only exceeded the total available shelter space once, by one person.

Related links

For media requests, please contact:

Beau Stobbs
Senior Communications Officer
Department of Executive and Indigenous Affairs
Government of the Northwest Territories
EIA_FINComms@gov.nt.ca

NT5

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