Hamilton Indigenous Housing

For the first time an immediate family member passing has effected me on so many levels. I now know what KMHC tenant little Debbie went through when she lost her son. And when tenant Bernadeen lost her son 9 yrs ago. No parent should ever outlive their child yet it does happen. 😢 A special thanks to the tenants and friends at the KMHC building for the condolence card.     

There's not many original KMHC tenants left that I know, last week I got word tenant Dean King passed away, we were not related and I remember when he moved in the building we got along well, we hung out often and he shared stories about his life and family. Eventually I notice he wasn't the sharpest pencil in the drawer and I started drifting away thus ended our friendship. Dean didn't have the usual addictions most male aboriginals endure he didn't drink or do drugs the problem was his mental state which I believe began after an auto accident years before.  After I moved out of KMHC I'd often see him standing in line at the food bank in Gore Park in downtown Hamilton or hanging out with street friend Galina in Jackson Square food court. He didn't have many friends and other KMHC tenants just tolerated and accepted his strange behavior. He'd walk the streets looking disheveled and lost.  When I received the news Dean died I didn't feel sad I felt surpri...

On February 27th 2025 I heard the passing of tenant Elder Sandy Holland. I knew she was in bad health and said to her friend she's ready to go.  I met her years ago when she moved to KMHC she seem a bit daffy yet in a nice way, never spoke mean about others but had strong opinions about UNH staff. We would meet at UNH dinner functions and meetings and always offered me hug. She never got personal sharing her life stories with me which I can respect. RIP 

After many years I received a call for Toronto Native Housing offering a vacancy so I decided to explore my options by attending a viewing of what's available. But first I did a phone interview with acting project manager Paul Feitelberg. He said my personal and financial information checks out fine then we talked about the negative reference I got from Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services. I was asked for my side of the story and I also invited Paul to read this blog site to find out more who I am.  A few days later I called Paul for an update, I was complimented on my blog posts and he could see the love and compassion I have for the Native people on this blog site.  Due to the Hamilton cyber attack it was difficult for Paul get a reference from my current housing provider so with my assistance I helped him get in contact with their office. I received an excellent tenant reference from my housing provider. When I asked about OAHS he said he's going to ignore their negative re...

 A few days ago I received word that KMHC tenant and friend Kevin White had passed away, I was shocked and sadden upon hearing the news. Kevin moved in the KMHC building after I did and we got along great. He was the nicest guy in the building, never got involved with the gossip mongers and basically kept to himself, he had his own circle of friends and family outside of KMHC.  After I moved out of the KMHC building I'd sometimes run into Kevin and his girlfriend Sharon downtown. I notice he was having mobility issues yet in his best fake Italian accent he'd shout 'Ayeee Tonee!' and I gave Kevin the nickname 'Special K' like the cereal. :D  I'd stop we'd chat for a bit, he once warned me about tenant Aunt Opie aka Joan Frame spreading rumors about me to staff and to other tenants who'd listen. I'd laugh thinking somethings never change at KMHC. :P I heard a memorial service was held in Hagersville, Ontario unfortunately I wasn't be able to...

I don't particularly like posting Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services screw ups but there is no other alternative.  Early Saturday morning a kitchen fire broke out in a native elder's unit at KMHC. The Hamilton fire dept was dispatched and soon the kitchen fire was under control. The tenant was sent to the hospital for treatment and observation and it looks like he'll be fine Here's the kicker folks! The main fire alarm has to be reset from the main control panel and no OAHS employee were available to do so. The building has a unique fire alarm system I lived there for years and I know what I'm saying. When the alarm goes off fire sirens can be heard in the hallways and in each unit. A tenant cannot turn the siren sound off in their unit. They can mute it for 5 min then it comes back on. And trust me the siren volume is worthy of a major headache. Tenants had to endure the fire alarm siren for nearly 5 hours. Imagine that!  These are native elders and nobody gives a...

 Last week I received an invitation to attend a pot luck luncheon at KMHC which I gladly accepted. It's been almost four years since I moved out of the building, First thing I noticed the hallways are not as bright as before, the paint color is too dark.  Anyway it was nice to sit down and chat with the native elders of KMHC. The hostess made everybody feel comfortable and welcome and the food! Oh My Gosh!  That's what I missed about KMHC. :) Conversation was light and cheerful, no mud slinging or gossip today. I had fun and when it was time to say goodbye the hostess invited me to take some food home. A doggie bag if you will.  What a great way to end the holidays and start the New Year 2023.  :)  

Recently a gym member and I were talking about Native issues in Canada when to my surprise Urban Native Homes Inc. came up in conversation. The gym member is also a member of the United Way senior management staff.   The United Way was a financial supporter for Urban Native Homes Inc.for many moons. The KMHC building opened up as the first Aboriginal housing facility for seniors in Canada. I remember walking by the building on opening day and noticed local dignitaries and news media covering the story plus the United Way was there too.  So here's the scoop readers, some years later things started looking fishy with Urban Native Homes Inc. when staff started writing up false and misleading financial statements to the United Way foundation. This activity was also going on at the Hamilton Regional Indian Centre when they were located on Main Street E.  The Director of Hamilton Regional Indian Centre at the time said to the United Way representative "It's not your money ...

Continuing from my previous blog today I was given friend Peter Isaac's obituary posted in the Two Row Times, an aboriginal newspaper.  A thank you to one of my followers. Other news! From a reliable source I was informed Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services are not paying their contractors. For Shame!  As I recall, years ago it was reported in a local newspaper and I wrote a blog about it Urban Native Homes Inc was sued by contractors for non payment of services rendered. Could the same happen to OAHS.....Hmm!  Anything is possible. Last week KMHC tenant Aunt Opie was spotted exiting a Direct Cash outlet in downtown Hamilton. I highly suspect she has fallen down the rabbit hole of outrageous interest rates from payday loans. Oh well there goes her Govt cheque and why am I not surprised.:P  A reminder June is Aboriginal month please support the native community by attending any Pow Wow events in your area.   Tk

 First the sad news!  Last week friend and KMHC tenant Peter Isaac passed away alone in his unit. Peter and I got along well and after I moved out we'd run into each other downtown so I made a point to sit and chat with him often. He had the gift to gab and there were times I had to cut him off because I had to leave. Near the end of his life I notice he didn't look well and I reminded him to look after himself especially after he confide in me that he accidentally OD'd on fentanyl a month ago.  Peter had many street friends and I feel he had a rough life. There are some in the KMHC building who despise Peter and I say get over it, the man has passed and carrying around all that negativity is unhealthy. I notice with the passing of Peter there are not many tenant/friends left at KMHC that I know.:(  Such is life.      RIP Peter Issac   The Upsetting News!  Security at KMHC is terrible. There has been drug addicts camping out in the basement l...

News of the war in Ukraine, celebrities bitch slapping others and homelessness in Hamilton is crazy eh!  Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services lacks transparency and accountability. I received a report about property manager Luke Johns removed tenant's property at Kenatah Housing Complex on Candlewood Drive without written reason or explanation. The tenant owned an expensive swing that was not blocking any entrance and was good for her son who has autism.    I've known Luke Johns since the days when he was a basic cleaner for KMHC. We are not friends, we don't hang out however he was polite, respectful and always ready to help when needed. A young man who reminded me of my son. As the years went by he moved to the UNH maintenance dept then an advocate for natives in the community and one of the organizers for the Pow Wow at Gage Park.  He proposed to his girlfriend at the Pow Wow circle in front of everybody which I thought was corny but it is what it is At native cele...

  Recently by invitation I dropped by KMHC for a brief chat with a female tenant friend we talked about our good health and a possible job opportunity in the future.  At the end of our conversation I was about to leave when a second tenant friend Bernadeene came out to drop off clothes for the needy and when she was done we started to chat, the conversation was deep and serious regarding family issues. Soon after former security tenant Brenda B.came out with a cheerful greeting. I have to say my conversation with the ladies were enjoyable, no drama or gossip. :) As fate would have it, Bernadeene and I were in mid conversation when Aunt Opie aka Joan Frame exits the building. She still looks like a bag lady who's now gained 30 lbs.   I haven't had a conversation with Aunt Opie/Joan Frame in nearly 5 years and I don't intend to start now. Wouldn't you know it as soon as she saw me she hovers around us pretending to look in her purse while listening to our conversation....

  This blog post is a tribute to the two women I knew when I lived at KMHC.  Native Elder Miss Catherine is the first Aboriginal person to occupy the KMHC building and was a tenant until yesterday when I got word she passed away peacefully. Just shy of 90 years old this woman I believe had a good life. One of the many memories I have is when I first moved to the KMHC building she greeted me in the Ojibway language. Soon after many times I would sit with her in the courtyard and she would share stories of her earlier life. You know, I don't think she had a nasty bone in her body, always optimistic and full of life.  She never got involved in mean gossip/rumours that goes on in the building, always friendly...at least with me. :) RIP Miss Catherine, my condolences to her family.     Recently I was told due to the early stages of dementia tenant 'Stormy' was transferred to a nursing home. I never knew her real name yet it really didn't matter.  'Stormy' was a ...

It's been a difficult month for KMHC, for starters Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services ignored requests for pest control from tenants during COVID-19 lockdown claiming exterminators will not do any jobs. Which is not true. Finally it got so bad that management was forced to fumigate the KMHC building a few weeks ago and treatments are still on going.  Selected tenants were put in hotel rooms while exterminators in white suits do their job. SMH Death is a part of life yet it's never easy when one loses a family member. Tenant and friend Judy lost her sister Milly who was also a KMHC tenant in November. I called Judy to offer my condolences, we had a nice chat, a Celebration of Life for Milly will be held at their home reservation up north in the near future. Glad to say KMHC tenant Joan Frame aka The Toothless Wonder will not be involved.:P Tenant Bernadeen is a former next door neighbour, a true believer in the Creator and FB friend. She recently also lost a family member and I...

It's been exactly 3 years since I moved out of the KMHC building and no regrets. I don't miss the constant noise of police sirens, ambulances and fire trucks going by and it's been awhile I've seen any police cruisers. You see KMHC is sandwiched between HPS central station and their special investigations new building. I still keep in touch with the tenants at KMHC, Keenadah and other homes via social media, phone and when I'm downtown. Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services management cannot stop me from interacting with tenant friends. A few months ago I was talking to a friend at the KMHC entrance when Luke Johns the OAHS property manager walks by with some old bald guy and didn't say word to me. Good on Luke I liked him since the days when he was the KMHC cleaner mopping floors. However these days I hear a lot of criticism on his lack of leadership and complacency. Lately I notice the neighbourhood around KMHC has changed drastically. The homeless and drug addi...

  A few weeks ago I got word another KMHC tenant pioneer has suddenly passed away Linda Wallage.  I decided to wait awhile to share my thoughts. Many years ago I remember when Linda took over the position as receptionist at Urban Native Homes Inc head office on Albert Street.  I liked her immediately she was bubbly and friendly to us tenants who dropped by to pay the rent.  Later she became UNH director Janis Lewis-Deeley's assistant, I recall one time at Gage Park UNH's held a summer picnic for tenants. Many tenants showed up for the food but the UNH organizers didn't arrange any games or contests for the tenants to participate. As I watched from the background I can see the picnic event was sinking fast.  Suddenly Linda Wallage got up and shouts encouragement to tenants to play kick the ball and came up with other games.  Months later I gave her a compliment on how she saved the picnic she replied 'I had to do something, it was so boring!' we both laughed...

Breaking News!  A few days ago I was surprised when I heard homeless tents were popping up around the KMHC building and one male tenant had to chase them off the property.  Today I'm told squatters have invaded the KMHC building specifically a top floor unit. A person claims to be a new tenant and somehow manage to gain access to the building plus entry to a unit.  Police were called to kick the squatters out yet one person still claims to be a tenant. She sounds like a nutcase I wouldn't be surprised if she's a friend of tenant Aunt Opie. Never before has a incident like this happen at KMHC. I remember the KMHC grand opening ceremony city officials and local native dignitaries were in attendance it was called the first of it's kind in Canada by offering housing to senior aboriginals experiencing homelessness. Now look at it.  Plus Candlewood Dr complex has a waste disposal issue that still hasn't been resolved. My KMHC tenant friends are annoyed and do not feel saf...

I've come to the conclusion Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services reluctantly accepted the assignment to take over Urban Native Homes Inc. 3+ years ago.  In their website there's an article where Justin Marchand OAHS executive director is standing in front of a building, the writings are basically saying 'Look at me I fly all around northern Ontario and I do Godly things'. :P  Meanwhile OAHS in Hamilton go through staff like I go through socks.  I once ask former staff worker Rose do they pay for her gas expenses when she has to travel to London from Hamilton she replied no probably one reason she left OAHS.  She was a great gal, I liked her.  Note to new job applicants you're under contract unless you know how to kiss ass and enjoy it don't expect a long career at OAHS.   Feedback from KMHC and Candlewood Drive complex tenants.  I'm told due to poor new tenant screening domestic violence has increased at Candlewood Dr. and KMHC tenants are not happ...

Hello readers! Here's the latest. Last month I and a few KMHC tenants received the 2nd Pfizer vaccine shot but we're not out of the woods yet. The doctor said we may need a booster shot sometime in the future. I still maintain social distancing and wear a mask. I'm told another fuck up from OAHS staff by not informing KMHC tenants COVID-19 vaccine shots were available, some had to find out through other sources.   Prior to my second shot on a Friday I stopped by KMHC to pick up a gift from one of the ladies, as I walked away from the building I was flagged over by another KMHC tenant from the courtyard. I was invited to sit with a group of tenants, while social distancing we had a nice conversation.  I didn't stay long I had another appointment.  Looking around the KMHC building from the courtyard I didn't see any improvements and no staff in attendance Elizabeth Blake do you still vape? ;)  I'm told there's a security guard that stops by to patrol the build...

Last week I attended Perkins Centre for the COVID-19 vaccine shot when I met up with two tenants from KMHC. I was on a tight schedule but later when all was done I rode downtown with one lady and had the chance to catch up how she'd doing. She's not doing too well, the tenant is being harassed at KMHC and is waiting for OAHS to do something about it.   Prepandemic - I knew about this for along time but kept it in my bookmark file until now. CBC Marketplace had a interesting episode about seniors home banning family members by issuing a trespassing notice. The similarities between Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services and the seniors home is apparent. I'm posting a link to the CBC Marketplace episode/article. https://tinyurl.com/yuy8d5d2 It's been over 2 years and I've done all I could regarding the trespassing notice by respectful phone calls and email requests to OAHS management which go ignored to this day.  So I made a command decision as long as my name is posted ...