Kenora District Services Board

Purpose

The project aims to urgently address the growing need for emergency shelter, substance use support, and culturally appropriate recovery services in response to rising homelessness and overdose rates in Sioux Lookout and surrounding areas. It will enhance the Sioux Lookout Emergency Shelter and Safe Sobering Site by hiring specialized staff, such as Integrated Community Case Managers, and expanding access to cultural and health resources. These will include on-the-land healing workshops, traditional ceremonies, and other Indigenous-led spiritual support sessions. The shelter will undergo retrofits to increase its capacity and create designated spaces for harm reduction and cultural programming. These upgrades will include areas for land-based learning, a kitchen for meal preparation, enhanced safety measures, and dedicated cultural spaces such as a sacred fire area. Together, these improvements will help meet the growing demand for emergency shelter services and ensure the delivery of comprehensive, immediate, and culturally appropriate care, along with clear pathways to recovery.