The Battlefords homeless shelter is operated by the Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs Inc. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

Community support

Homeless shelter busy with recent colder temperatures

Dec 10, 2021 | 6:00 AM

The Battlefords homeless shelter is seeing a lot of traffic these days as more homeless people seek a safe place to escape the cold.

Miwasin Kikinaw: Our Home is Good located in North Battleford is operated by Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs Inc (BATC).

Kerry Sasakamoose, director of employment and training for BATC, said usage numbers have been going up at the shelter on a daily basis this month.

“On Dec. 1 we only had 13 people, and right now on Dec. 9 we are up to 32,” she said. “There’s been a gradual increase over the last couple of days because of the weather.”

The snow has also been a factor, encouraging more people to seek shelter.

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“Weather changes everything,” Sasakamoose said. “It makes it harder for people to survive. Knowing that Miwasin is open helps.”

She said BATC has also now started a Street Outreach Program to ensure people who are outside get the assistance they need.

The BATC shuttle drives around the city in the evenings, seven days a week from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., looking for people out in the cold requiring assistance.

The service offers people hot chocolate and snacks, clothing such as mitts and toques, as well as rides to the shelter, or to their homes for those who are stranded and need help.

While taking part in a shift on Dec. 6, Sasakamoose said 22 people on the street received help that night.

“I had the opportunity to drive on Monday, and it was the most humbling experience ever,” she said, adding that she appreciated meeting the people, and hearing their stories. “We tell them if you need us, wave us down.”

Sasakamoose said during the frigid temperatures it’s important to make sure the homeless get the help they need, so they don’t stay outside where they are at risk.

“We want to help in any way we can,” she said. “We need to encourage them to get inside and go to a place where there is at least warmth, a bed and food. Those are the basic needs we need to meet, and we are trying to do that.”

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow