Sod-turning marks development of new Indigenous housing

By Ry Clarke - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on October 5, 2022.

Herald photo by Ry Clarke Elders, Blackfoot Family Lodge Society members, architects, and politicians watch Tyler Chief Calf and Kevin Plaited Hair play an honour song Tuesday during the launch of the Soaring Hearts Project.

The Blackfoot Family Lodge Society has launched its Soaring Hearts Project, hosting a soil turning event on Tuesday to announce the redevelopment of a lot on 830 7 St N. The project will fill a need for Indigenous women’s housing and residential growth.

“This used to be a church that was on these grounds. The initial intent of the project was to renovate the church,” said Lance Tail Feathers, board chair with the Society. “We asked our partners; would it be feasible that we get away from those optics because of the histories and the injustice to the Indigenous communities from the past? They said we can make things work, in which we were very appreciative of that. Since then, we had the opportunity to design a specific facility that will not only house Indigenous young families and women, but create programs that identify with Blackfoot pride.”

The City of Lethbridge worked with the Society to secure the location in 2007, also contributing $300,000 through the Affordable/Social Housing Capital Grant Program. The provincial government also contributed $3,384,900 towards the project from the Indigenous Housing Construction Corporation, as well as a donation of $10,000 from Lafarge Canada to support the first phase of the project.

The project will provide 14 safe and stable housing units for Blackfoot women and their children who are relocating from the Kainai, Siksika and Piikani reserves, providing an affordable option and new start to women and their children when starting new jobs, attending school, or leaving difficult circumstances.

“We all know as a community that so many of our challenges, socially, start with housing,” said Nathan Neudorf, MLA for Lethbridge East. “The province is committed to seeing this housing come through and to be a substantial partner in that.”

The Society is looking to finish phase one’s completion around the end of May 2023, looking to have 14 three-bedroom units. “We have six families right now and 16 on a waiting list,” said Mary Ann Crow Healy, executive director for the Society. “Phase two we are still working on funding for this part, looking to put a daycare and an administration center in.”

There is also a phase three of the project, looking at building a two-story unit that will be independent with its own washrooms and kitchens.

Hoping to create a safe space for Indigenous families and women, the facility will provide opportunity to those who are coming to Lethbridge.

“It is always challenging for young ladies to come into the city and try to get housing. There is a stigma of rental units,” said Tail Feathers. “So this is a spring-board so that they can have affordable housing, have the program supports, and then if they wish to continue get into actual housing situations on their own.”