Kuujjuaraapik women’s shelter running out of money

MONTREAL — Battered women may still find a safe haven in Kuujjuaraapik, but the community’s shelter is running on a shoestring budget, and in premises that are far from ideal.

The eight-room Tunngavik Women’s Shelter has been open since early 1999.

“But now we’re practically out of money,” said coordinator Danielle Sioui.

Sioui, a member of Quebec’s Wendat First Nation, was instrumental in getting the shelter up and going.

Last year, 50-60 women used the shelter’s facilities and services, which include lodging, support and counselling.

But recently all but two of the shelter’s workers were temporarily laid off. An employment and training program that paid 75 per cent of the five salaries for shelter workers dried up, leaving the cash-poor shelter to make up the difference.

Sioui said the annual grant of $130,000 that the shelter receives from the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services hasn’t been able to cover the cost of hiring workers round-the-clock at the shelter or pay for food and rent. The shelter’s finances won’t be in better shape, she said, until the beginning of a new fiscal year.

Sioui said she’s disappointed the neighbouring Cree community of Whapmagoostui isn’t helping the shelter financially, even though some Cree women use its facilities.

The shelter is currently housed in a narrow, dark building that dates back to the late 1950s, when Great Whale was a military base.

“Women in need of a shelter should find sunlight and a warm comforting place to heal their bodies and souls,” Sioui said.

Sioui would like to see the shelter move into a new building. She’s dreaming of a multi-purpose building, with a shelter, library, mini-friendship centre, and visitors centre all under the same roof.

But such an ambitious project would require millions of dollars. Sioui knows it’s a long shot. Still she’s hoping a native architect will help her design a building for free. Then, she’ll begin fund-raising in earnest.

“We’re now at a point where old and unsuitable buildings are beginning to interfere with our goals for a better life and healing for women and children who are victims of violence and abuse,” Sioui said.

In spite of the shelter’s ongoing challenges, Sioui said she’s optimistic about the future, and encouraged by the Tunngavik Shelter’s progress to date.

“We really are doing well,” Sioui said. “It takes three years to establish something.”