Hamilton Indigenous Housing

Hello readers this is my review of the local Aboriginal events that went on in our community.   Similar to last year the weather Saturday was hot and humid at Gage Park mini Pow Wow or as some Natives call it “the fake Pow Wow” so I didn’t stick around long. :P   Unfortunately the event has deteriorated, less dancer participation and I notice public attendance was low.   Could be due to lack of advertising, the weather or people are tired of seeing the same thing every year.   Aside from that I did run into a few friends and acquaintances that make the trip worthwhile.   Speaking of trips the UNH’s driver Tim abruptly quit the job on Friday, I never had the opportunity to know the guy and by choice I never use the transportation services.   The UNH Administration had to step up to the plate again.   Next day unknown to tenant elders who rode the van to the Pow Wow the trip was one way, they were expected to find their own way home or wait for bus...

Before Before Wednesday morning as I walked to the KMHC courtyard I notice an event/ceremony going on outside the Hamilton Police Services central station which is located next to our building.  Many police officers and local dignitaries were in attendance and everybody was dressed in their finest.  Watching the event from the courtyard I look to my left and what do I see!    Old furniture stacked up, two mattresses with brown stains and other debris leaning against the trash bin that’s been sitting there for a while. The lawn needs mowing and bushes need trimming. The public can see this mess, h ow embarrassing!  Can you imagine what the Chief of Hamilton Police Services was thinking!   I do, because the next day I notice a female bi-law officer doing a perimeter inspection of the KMHC building and later in her vehicle writing up a report.   I assume she wrote an infraction or warning to Urban Native Homes Inc. to clean up their proper...

For many who read my posts the initials H.O.W. are often written which stands for Housing Outreach Worker.   You may be wondering what kind of job title is that!   The duties include assisting tenants when there is a problem and to work on a solution together.   Basically HOW’s are suppose to be there for the tenant, at least that’s what I’ve been told by former HOW’s that worked here.   Former UNH’s staff Joseph Anton, Stephanie Hagar, Gerry Burning, Lorraine Brown, Charles Jacobs and Christine Demick were H.O.W.’s generally I’ve gotten along well with all of them and remain cordial right up to the end of their employment.     Allow me to describe the current H.O.W. Lynda Jones, when she came on board she was quiet and didn’t interact socially with tenants in the building or outside.   She had a tough act to follow after Lorraine Brown left the organization.   Lorraine Brown a wonderful lady who actually cared for the tenants.   Gradually...

As I had written in my last blog post tenant Judy Ashkewe had passed away and I was waiting for an announcement when and where the funeral will be held.   Finally I got word on Friday morning from tenant Joanie the service will be held at a local funeral home and we had a few hours to get ready.   Wow!   Talk about a close call.   Anyway I showered, shaved, slapped on some cologne and retrieved my black suit from the closet.   I want to look and be respectable as I say goodbye to a friend. After the funeral I heard the ladies planning a traditional native luncheon on Monday in memory of Judy Ashkewe at the KMHC community room.   Will UNH’s put up a fuss!   I sure as hell hope not or there will be an uprising.   The idea is to invite all tenants to the luncheon without saying it’s a potluck affair.   As most people of the world know when you go to a post funeral gathering you bring food. Fast forward to Monday morning. ...

Sunday I was settling in for the night and for the first time in years the main KMHC building fire alarm was triggered.   Sirens were going off inside our units and the hallway.  I immediately got dressed to investigate.  The flashing annunciator panel light indicated an alarm on the second floor so I offered to assist Brenda the security tenant by checking the floors for smoke and asking tenants are they ok.   Poor Brenda she was doing her best to reset the alarm annunciator panel with no success.   I could tell the loud noise was causing her confusion.   When I worked at ADT central station there were alarm sirens going off all the time during shifts so I’m used to it.   While checking the building interior I notice the police talking to a tenant in the rear building stairwell. The new tenant was inebriated and cursing at those around her.   Then the Fire Dept. showed up and proceeded to do a floor to floor inspection and found the interior...

NWC podium Yesterday I was an early bird. I woke up at the god forsaken hour of 7 am then got ready to attend a presentation at the Native Women’s Centre located at the top of Hamilton Mountain.   Arriving at 9 am I was greeted by two NWC facilitators whom I previously met.   Located in an upscale neighborhood I’ve never visited the large building and was impressed when told of its history.   While waiting for the elder/teacher to show up, I asked may I take a few pictures of the impressive native art on display and the large facility room.   Then I took the opportunity to ask one facilitator a few questions.   In detail she explained the support services available to native women in Hamilton from abusive relationships to homelessness.   Another question I'm sure every man in town would like to know.   Is NWC restricted to women only!   The reply is no, men are invited to programs too.   Then we had a conversation about the food box pro...

Easter season is the holiest of holidays plus my youngest son was born on Easter so it’s a special time for me.   On April 10, 2017 “Homeward Bound” located at the money pit building on Kenilworth Ave hosted a Native Easter dinner and for the first time I decided to attend.   We arrived a bit early and seeing Yvonne Maracle working hard on the dinner preparation and still took the time to greet us was exceptional.   Our group then waited outside which gave me the opportunity to look around the building perimeter.   What was written in the Hamilton Spectator about the building is accurate it's a total mess.   Anyway the dinner served buffet style was delicious filled with ham, turkey and all the fixins.   The native guests and staff in attendance couldn’t be any more friendly and sociable at the gathering.   At the end I approached the hostess Yvonne Maracle and thanked her for the feast and the leftover takeout tray.  :) https://tinyurl.com/kyw...