Complex care housing and services has been announced in Cranbrook that will be available for Indigenous peoples, as part of a partnership between the Ktunaxa Nation Council and the B.C. Government.
The Ktunaxa Nation Council will operate the complex care housing sites, in partnership with Interior Health, as the program also provides on-site services such as nursing, social workers, wellness supports, life skills training and access to harm-reduction resources
“It’s a really, really important announcement and an important partnership with the Ktunaxa in providing these 15 complex care spaces,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, in an interview.
“…The purpose of complex care housing is to identify individuals who are living with severe mental health and addictions challenges, who may be at risk of homelessness — or may be homeless — but who can live independently with supports.
“So that’s what we have done in this situation, is we’ve partnered with the First Nation, with the Ktunaxa Social Services to provide 15 complex care spaces that comes with not only the housing, but it’s about the wrap around services.”
The housing spaces will be offered at two different locations in Cranbrook, according to Whiteside.
The services are meant to meet the unique needs of individuals who have complex trauma from past and ongoing colonial impacts.
“Most of the staff at the site have Ktunaxa lineage or are otherwise connected to our communities,” said Debbie Whitehead, director, social investment sector, Ktunaxa Nation, in a news release. “Those who want to give back to their community have been hired and we are providing ongoing training. They are looked at as aunty and uncle by the clients. Of the 12 staff, 10 are Ktunaxa.
“When you realize that this complex-care housing is a safe place for people who have been kicked out of every single institution, you realize how vital and welcome it is. It’s a last resort and a safe place.”
The Ktunaxa Nation Council provides services and programs that are trauma-informed, culturally safe and follow the Ktunaxa Nation Social Investment Sector Practice Framework.
The toxic drug crisis disproportionately impacts Indigenous Peoples, while one-third of survey respondents in the 2023 point in time homelessness count in Cranbrook identified as Indigenous.
Whiteside noted the significance of partnering with the Ktunaxa Nation Council, as the province is providing $3.7 million over three years to operate complex care housing programming and services.
“It is absolutely critical that we have strong partnerships and relationships with Indigenous organizations in providing these kinds of services, because one thing that we know, that we understand really clearly, is culture saves lives,” Whiteside said.
Anyone wishing to access services can contact Debbie Whitehead at 250 489-2464.