September 30 marks the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
To highlight this day we would like to shed light on this wonderful organization:THE NATIVE WOMEN'S SHELTER OF MONTREAL.
They are the only aboriginal women’s shelter in Montreal and their goal is to provide a safe environment where women can begin to rebuild their lives. They offer support and frontline services to First Nations, Inuit and Métis (Aboriginal) women and children to promote their empowerment and independence. The NWSM is the only women’s shelter in Montrealthat provides services exclusively to Aboriginal women and their children.Women are offered an up to three month stay in one of 13 private rooms, many of which are capable of accommodating more than one person so that women may stay with their children. There is a zero tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol at the shelter.
The NWSM is constantly evolving and striving to offer the best possible services to Aboriginal women and children. They are open 24 hours a day 365 days a year and offer in-house programs as well as an outreach program. They meet residents’ basic needs of shelter, food, clothing, hygiene, and dignity, as well as provide twenty workshops a month which range in content from art therapy to traditional teachings.