The Aboriginal Housing Management Association is the new operating partner of the Nawican Friendship Centre and emergency homeless shelter in Dawson Creek.

The Nawican Friendship Centre is a gathering space for urban Indigenous families and community members, and has operated in Dawson Creek for more than 50 years.

Association manager Stacey Bourque met with city council on Monday to share findings from an assessment of issues and community concerns collected over the past six weeks.

Bourque said they want to reduce gaps in care for vulnerable people, including those suffering from addiction, but also want to address community complaints about public intoxication and substance use.

“People are struggling with compassion fatigue,” she said.

The city, RCMP, Northern Health, the South Peace Community Resources Society, and business owners are among the groups that the association has consulted, explained Bourque.

A formal complaint system and mitigation strategy are being drafted by the association, said Bourque, with the goals of community safety and supports for the unhoused.

“The best way to do that is to build trust and improve relationships within the community, especially with the local business owners that are experiencing challenges,” she said.

“Explore some of those operational changes that are needed to enhance community safety and then draft a framework for accountability.”

Bourque said the draft framework will be sent to the city when it’s completed.

She said they’re also working with the Dawson Creek Native Housing Society to find additional housing for people in need, getting them off the street and providing wraparound supports.

More services are needed to start addressing addiction and housing insecurity in Dawson Creek, said Bourque.

“Although you do have a lot of non-profit organizations in the community, you are significantly lacking in housing,” she said.

“You are significantly lacking in mental health and substance use supports in this community, by no fault of your own. You are a small community, and a lot of those investments end up in larger centres.”

Bourque said the Nawican Friendship Centre is also seeking a temporary use permit from the city to relocate the shelter roughly 300 metres away from its current location on 102 Avenue.

She said the move is expected to mitigate many of the complaints and issues raised by the community, while increasing the number of beds in the shelter from 17 to a possible 24.

Mayor Darcy Dober said he appreciated prior meetings with the association to address the concerns raised by his community and the city.

“I also want to thank you for the last six weeks,” said Dober to Bourque. “Listening to the community and making some changes that have helped them.”

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