New Video Series Provides Broader Perspective of Indigenous Homelessness in B.C.

VANCOUVER, BC: On behalf of the Stories of Indigenous Homelessness Working Group, Lu’ma Native Housing Society, in partnership with the Province and BC Housing, has released a unique video series that explores Indigenous homelessness in British Columbia and is rooted in Indigenous worldviews and experiences. The videos aim to inspire hope, nurture empathy, and spark action on Indigenous-led solutions to Indigenous homelessness.

“Positive change can only happen when we start to look at homelessness from Indigenous perspectives and work collaboratively with Indigenous-led programs to heal, develop trust, create hope and empower Indigenous Peoples.”

– Patrick Reid Stewart, Nisga’a Nation, Chair of the Provincial Indigenous Homelessness Committee for B.C., Senior Director, Lu’ma Native Housing Society, and member of the Working Group

There are eleven videos in the series titled “Where Are All My Relations? Stories of Indigenous Homelessness in B.C.”. Each video features the personal stories of people from different Indigenous communities and organizations in B.C. that support Indigenous-led approaches to addressing homelessness. The stories showcase the innovation and strength of Indigenous Peoples, communities, and service providers. The series sheds light on how collaborative, culturally grounded, Indigenous-led approaches are key to creating positive change. This is because approaches grounded in Indigenous worldviews and cultures are central to healing, trust, hope and empowerment for Indigenous Peoples experiencing homelessness.

Indigenous definitions of home are at the heart of this series. This is often defined as “all my relations,” which recognizes home as including relationships and connections with land, spirit, nature, culture, community, and identity. This is compared to the colonial definition of home as a built structure to live in. The videos explore Indigenous Peoples’ experiences of homelessness within the context of colonization and its disproportionate impact on Indigenous Peoples, communities, families, Nations, and cultures. They also look at healing in terms of reconnecting with the relationships that Indigenous Peoples have with the land, the community, their families, and their culture.

In the 2020 provincial homeless count, 39 percent of respondents identified as Indigenous despite Indigenous people representing only six percent of the population. While homeless counts can tell part of the story of homelessness, they don’t tell us how or why a person is homeless. Recognizing the limitations of colonial narratives around homeless counts, BC Housing consulted with Indigenous leaders and experts to determine an approach that shifts the narrative and deepens the understanding around Indigenous homelessness.

From this consultation, Indigenous community leaders representing Indigenous organizations from across B.C., including Lu’ma Native Housing Society, participated in a working group with staff from BC Housing and the BC Ministry of Housing to guide this project. This working group recommended the production of a series of short videos that centres Indigenous lived-experience and perspectives and explores the broader experience of homelessness for Indigenous Peoples in B.C.  

This project was funded by the Province of BC. The videos were produced by Little Bird Media, an Indigenous-led firm based in Vernon, B.C. The project was stewarded by leaders from the following Indigenous organizations: The Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness Society, Vancouver Island; Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment and Training Association; Prince George Native Friendship Centre; the Provincial Indigenous Homelessness Committee for BC; the Indigenous Homelessness Steering Committee for Metro Vancouver; and Lu’ma Native Housing Society.  

This video series is available for viewing on the Lu’ma website. In the coming weeks and months, Lu’ma will be working closely with BC Housing to organize film screenings of the full-length version of the documentary. The aim is to deepen community connections and lead to discussions that will spark action on Indigenous-led initiatives that reduce Indigenous homelessness. 

Quotes:

“Our hope is that by sharing these stories of the innovative and courageous work happening right now in our communities to heal and repair the circles of relationships, which have been broken by colonization, systemic oppression and racism, others will be inspired to do similar work in their community.”

– Fran Hunt-Jinnouchi, Executive Director, Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness Society, Vancouver Island

“We recognize that Indigenous Peoples are overrepresented in the homeless population due to the impacts of colonialism, poverty and systemic racism. Our government is proud to support this project so that that Indigenous Peoples’ unique experience and understanding of homelessness can be shared broadly. We are committed to continuing to learn from their experiences and work together towards Reconciliation.”

– Honourable Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing, Province of BC

Learn More:

To watch the video series, visit: https://www.lnhs.ca/indigenous-led-solutions

Contacts:

Lu’ma Native Housing Society
Patrick Stewart, Senior Director, Homelessness Services, Designated Community Entity
patrickreidstewart@gmail.com
778-246-1862

Ministry of Housing
Media Relations
236-478-0251