City Indigenous groups’ $620-M plan includes hospital

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This article was published 29/06/2022 (1375 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Thirty-two Indigenous-led organizations have collaborated on a guiding document that outlines how Winnipeg should grow and support the Indigenous population over the next decade.

The Urban Indigenous Community Plan provides a framework to improve health, housing, education, employment and family life outcomes for Indigenous Winnipeggers. It includes a 10-year investment plan that identifies funding priorities and estimates the cost of initiatives.

The idea is to present politicians, community members and potential investors with concrete examples of how and where they can contribute, said Kendell Joiner, executive director of the Native Clan Organization.

“The plan is very all-encompassing, and it comes from a place of love because it’s helping human beings… it’s a community plan, and the landscape of Winnipeg will be absolutely changed-and-a-half by these investments and infrastructure upgrades,” Joiner said.

The Winnipeg Indigenous Executive Circle, which represents dozens of organizations with Indigenous interests, unveiled the plan Wednesday at the Neeginan Centre on Higgins Avenue. Leaders from organizations who developed the framework attended.

The group is calling for $620M in investments over the next decade.

The most significant funding opportunity asks investors to create an Indigenous hospital, with an estimated price tag of $65 million. Other priorities include expanding low-barrier housing projects at $20 million per year over three years and $50 million in infrastructure upgrades to the Neeginan Centre and the Friendship Centre at 45 Robinson St.

Establishing the financial priorities and cost estimates involved consultations with experts and organizations. The numbers account for construction costs and staff salaries, Joiner said.

The plan comes as the electoral race heats up in Winnipeg. Many candidates vying for mayor are campaigning on challenges addressed within, including Indigenous health care and housing.

Joiner is aware of the timeliness.

“I would like to hope that candidates are paying attention to the plan,” he said. “If you’re going to be leading a city with the largest Indigenous population in Canada… and you have Indigenous non-profits putting a plan out, it might be a good thing to pay attention to it.”

Hours after the announcement, mayoral hopeful Scott Gillingham promised to add 270 affordable housing units in Winnipeg.

Gillingham’s initiative involves securing funds from the federal rapid housing program. The Indigenous Circle’s investment plan suggests a similar approach.

“What would be really great to see is stable funding for Indigenous non-profits at every level of government,” Joiner said. “Here are the answers for how we can get our jobs done and support our people… approach us and ask us how you can support.”

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca