There’s no place like home. That’s why the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) partnered with stakeholders and contractors recently to break ground on two major housing projects designed to help mitigate homelessness in Saskatchewan communities. According to the MN-S, the continuing rise in the cost of living, a housing shortage and lack of adequate, safe, affordable shelter leaves many with few options. As a result, the MN-S, Métis citizens, and their communities have banded together to take care of each other in Lloydminster and Meadow Lake. The two projects include four semi-detached, two-bedroom affordable units for Métis seniors in Lloydminster and four, three-bedroom affordable rental units in Meadow Lake for Métis families. Ground was broken at the Meadow Lake site on 4th Avenue East during a special ceremony held last Wednesday (May 15).
“The units are expected to be completed in January 2025 with, hopefully, some tenants moving in during winter 2025,” remarked Mathieu Gaudet, MN-S housing manager. The units are being developed by Zak’s Building Group of Hague, SK and on hand to represent the company was Chad Zacharias who said the buildings are well underway at the Zak’s lot. “They’re quite far along,” Zacharias said. “The first set is framed up and the second set is near finished framing as well.”
Also on hand for last week’s groundbreaking was Métis elder Guy Tourond who provided the opening prayer for the ceremony, as well as MN-S Western Region 1 director and infrastructure and housing minister Loretta King who addressed the small crowd in attendance. “The MN-S has been soliciting input from citizens over the past two years through engagements across the province – north, central and south,” King said. “With annual conferences that bring all stakeholders together, we discuss housing gaps and homelessness solutions. The MN-S is the democratically elected government representing citizens of the Métis nation, and providing culturally appropriate, safe, affordable living spaces for Métis seniors and families is a government priority.”
King went on to say how exciting it was to attend the groundbreaking ceremony. “We have listened to the needs in the communities across the provinces,” she stated. “This government is responding with a more than $2 million investment to help address housing gaps. In Meadow Lake, we’re building four, three-bedroom affordable rental units for Métis families. This is just a start to addressing the housing crisis in the province We continue to build community partnerships to fill that void. Our government is compiling a database to put Métis-owned companies first and encourage Métis contractors, sub-contractors and vendors to visit our website to add their organizations to the list.”
King also said MN-S is pleased to be able to demonstrate how its government is listening to people’s needs. “We look forward to passing over the keys (to the units) to the new residents of these homes in 2025,” she added. According to Gaudet, while the Meadow Lake project is on schedule and promises to fill a housing need in the community, MN-S is still waiting to have the necessary development permits approved by Meadow Lake city council. “We’re not approved yet, but we’re hoping the city, the council and the community members will welcome us with open arms and approve our project,” he said. “We’re not anticipating any hiccups.” Also in attendance was Lisa McCallum, MN-S provincial secretary. “This is a great opportunity for our communities and for our people,” McCallum said. “I look forward to folks moving into these homes in winter 2025.”