New housing for Indigenous families is coming to Cambridge as the KW Urban Native Wigwam Project builds its first housing project in the city.
It will provide units for 30 families in the Cambridge area by December.
The KW Urban Native Wigwam Project (KWUNWP) is a non-profit organization that started in the Waterloo region in 1987. Their mission is to offer safe, secure, and affordable rent geared-to-income housing for Native people and their families that are in a low or moderate income situation.
For the last 30 years, the number of units for KWUNWP has remained the same, being able to house around 40 families. They are finally getting the chance to expand their outreach in Cambridge, but acquiring the land has been an issue for quite some time.
“Ultimately, and ironically, with Indigenous housing, we've always had an issue with not having the land,” said Lee Ann Hundt, executive director.
Even after its first application to build an eight-unit project in Kitchener was denied by the city, they kept on fighting for more housing. Through the rapid housing initiative, they were able to secure more funding from the region, ultimately landing at the plot in the heart of Galt.
Hundt believes that with the spotlight on Indigenous issues, this has created the need to check off certain boxes and bring much needed exposure to the community.
“I think that there's truth and reconciliation that has come into play, and just us having exposure. I've made sure to be at as many tables as possible, highlighting the need for the single units for our single folks, our smaller families, our elders and our students,” she said.
This housing would not only give Indigenous people an affordable place to live, but also a culturally safe space.
“I think having a space where they feel comfortable to practice ceremony and able to visibly display things that are from their culture without worrying about whether they will be discriminated against has been key,” said Hundt.
This housing will not only be a safe place to practice culture but also a welcoming place for two-spirited and Indigiqueer individuals who feel marginalized by outside communities.
“Within our culture, those folks are our most revered people. So the stigma and the issues that happen there are from the outside. So we want to make sure that’s a safe space for them,” said Hundt.
The non-profit is also in talks with Cambridge housing to have units set up at a future site, offering even more spaces to Indigenous peoples. They also hope to create a cultural centre beyond housing for all members of the community to learn and share their experiences.
