ODANAK: The Abenaki Council of Odanak is considering the construction of a shelter for women victims of violence in the community of Odanak. This house would allow indigenous women to leave a dynamic of violence, to be accommodated with their children and to receive support services towards regaining control of their life project.
The board responded to the call for applications from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The latter wants to set up a shelter for women victims of violence in a First Nations community.
In this momentum, the band council published a survey on its social networks to take the pulse of the community. “We survey the population to find out if it is viewed favorably by members of the community to welcome this type of resource,” said Daniel G. Nolett, director general of the Council of Abenakis of Odanak.
Among the questions in the survey, we also ask the community if it believes that the establishment of this type of residence could have negative consequences for Odanak. “It can change the dynamics of the community a bit. Women and children who are leaving a center of violence bring luggage with them and that can have repercussions on the neighborhood of this residence, ”explains the general manager.
Moreover, if the community’s response turns out to be negative, the council could reconsider its candidacy. “At first glance, it’s a great opportunity that we jumped at. On the other hand, even if the community agrees with the project and the file is complete, in the end, we may not be selected. The decision is not up to us, ”Nolett recalls.
Communities wishing to submit their file have until January 15 to do so. Members of the Odanak community can also complete the survey on the platform Survey Monkey. The link is available from the Odanak Abenakis Council Facebook page.
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