Hamilton Indigenous Housing

I just witnessed something I and a few other tenants have suspected all along, the Superintendent Jan Porter entering a unit without proper authorization. This is really disturbing, you may remember a blog I posted last October 2011 about her entering my unit without a 24 hour notice on a non emergency issue.   I was pissed off and received an apology from the previous Housing Service Coordinator.  This evening just before 8 pm I heard her knocking on my neighbour’s door calling for the tenant and a police officer was with her.  The tenant didn’t answer and the superintendent said to the officer “I can open the door if you like” the officer agreed then Jan used her pass key, when in, turned on the lights and called out the tenant’s name. The officer stood at the door and did not enter the unit. The tenant was not home.  If the tenant isn’t home or doesn’t wish to answer the door the superintendent has no right to enter the unit. I think the officer knew this which is...

It's official folks!   Lady Brown is no longer part of the Urban Natives Homes Mickey Mouse Operation. When Lorraine came on board on Feb 2011 some of the tenants including myself were surprised.   Why you ask?  Because she’s a black woman, I don't consider myself a racist and I thought Oh Boy! This is going to turn heads and it did, I’ve never spoke to Lorraine about this.  At first there was whispering and gossip among the tenants in regard to her background which I took as racial ignorance.  Here we had a black minority working among Native minorities which is not an easy feat.  Lorraine Brown is a remarkable woman she went against heavy odds taking the job and broke racial prejudice. I’m not saying Lorraine and I agreed on everything, we butted heads on a few issues and we also had some excellent conversations without breaching protocol. :) From my observation being an Housing Outreach Worker for UNH’s doesn’t mean they’ll have a last...

Facsimile of the automated front door.  Lately I noticed the automatic front door does not always close and lock properly perhaps it’s due to the change of weather or its old and needs to be replaced.  Whatever the reason it’s a security risk to the occupants of this building. Yesterday I brought my concern to the Super’s attention while she was on her smoke break, her response was “That’s why there’s a sign on the door”  Well Jan just because you post a sign on the door doesn't mean the problem is solved. :P Hmm a few things I want to point out, first I’ve read the sign it’s been there for many months and I thought it was temporary.  Also some of the elder tenants have disabilities and need to pay full attention while using their walkers/scooters and shouldn’t be expected to wait around hoping that a slow moving automated door will close properly.  There is not one apt building in Hamilton that has this door problem and if they did it would be corr...

The video was made by the Hamilton Urban Core Community Health Centre. TobyMac is a 47 year old Christian recording artist who I never heard of until tonight, the guy has a great voice and even though I am agnostic I like the song.  How's that for a shocker!  :) Please take a moment to watch the video, we can all make a difference when it comes to children in poverty.  tk

I’m writing two topics today.   Since I’ve been here I noticed the aboriginal women fall prey to bad ligaments in the knee area. It concerns me because two of my sisters have this problem and I wonder is this a genetic flaw, bad diet or not exercising enough when they were younger.   Just recently a tenant on another floor went for surgery to correct her problem so will it help!   There is no guarantee when it comes to surgery.   Holey Moses received a new scooter a few years ago even though he has problems walking I asked him why he doesn’t use it, his reply: “I don’t want to rely on it to get around”.   I was impressed with his answer. :) When I see people around me going through major pain and suffering from physical disabilities I’m just thankful I can still get around on my own and I owe it all to exercising regularly.  This morning I received a call from HOW Charles announcing there will be a nutritional lunch for the tenants followed by a Bluegrass...

I’m writing two topics today.   Since I’ve been here I noticed the aboriginal women fall prey to bad ligaments in the knee area. It concerns me because two of my sisters have this problem and I wonder is this a genetic flaw, bad diet or not exercising enough when they were younger.   Just recently a tenant on another floor went for surgery to correct her problem so will it help!   There is no guarantee when it comes to surgery.   Holey Moses received a new scooter a few years ago even though he has problems walking I asked him why he doesn’t use it, his reply: “I don’t want to rely on it to get around”.   I was impressed with his answer. :) When I see people around me going through major pain and suffering from physical disabilities I’m just thankful I can still get around on my own and I owe it all to exercising regularly.  This morning I received a call from HOW Charles announcing there will be a nutritional lunch for the tenants follow...

Just a few members of the King clan. My mother was from an island reservation located on beautiful Georgian Bay Ontario and had 11 children in her lifetime what’s so interesting is some of us didn’t grow up together we were separated when we were babies it wasn’t until approximately 7 years ago when we finally met the older members of the family. The reunion was a bit awkward at first but we got over it plus we had one thing in common and that was our mother.  I was fortunate to reunite with my mother in my early teen years and watch my younger siblings grow up I would hang out with mother and we got along well I think we had one disagreement when I asked about my father, she got mad at me for asking.  Later as young adults we had a ritual once a year or so my brothers & sisters would meet at a tavern or bar and hang out, we'd be dancing, drinking and laughing until closing time. One time my brother Joey drank so much he barfed on the floor and I had to drive him home. :D...

Just a few members of the King clan. My mother was from an island reservation located on beautiful Georgian Bay Ontario and had 11 children in her lifetime what’s so interesting is some of us didn’t grow up together we were separated when we were babies it wasn’t until approximately 7 years ago when we finally met the older members of the family. The reunion was a bit awkward at first but we got over it plus we had one thing in common and that was our mother.  I was fortunate to reunite with my mother in my early teen years and watch my younger siblings grow up I would hang out with mother and we got along well I think we had one disagreement when I asked about my father, she got mad at me for asking.  Later as young adults we had a ritual once a year or so my brothers & sisters would meet at a tavern or bar and hang out, we'd be dancing, drinking and laughing until closing time. One time my brother Joey drank so much he barfed on the floor and I had to drive him h...

Last week there was an invitation on the bulletin board for the annual KMHC Thanksgiving pot luck luncheon the starting time was scheduled for 11 am but things didn’t get started until noon. I was not the only tenant getting impatient but since I spend 2 hours the night before preparing my infamous potato salad I waited it out and didn’t complain.   Half of the tenants in the building showed up and we were all in a good mood for the feast. HOW Charles & tenant Norma were Mr.& Mrs. Harvest Moon. (They wore Autumn leaf decorations around their head & neck.) :D Five UNH’s staff members showed up late along with an older gentleman who apparently is a board member, he didn’t say a word to us so I later approached him and said hello.   The acting HSC sat at the other end of the community room she avoided eye contact and didn’t say a word to me throughout the luncheon, looks like she’s still upset after I called her out at the last tenant meeting. Aww poor baby ...