by pmnationtalk on July 19, 2024
JULY 18, 2024
NationTalk: Winnipeg, Treaty One Territory – The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) demands increased oversight and accountability in response to recent rights violations at a Winnipeg apartment block. This past weekend, dozens of residents at 285 College Ave. were forced to unlawfully vacate their building and their personal items thrown out of their units, violating their right to privacy and security.
AMC Deputy Grand Chief Betsy Kennedy insists that justice and support must prioritize those displaced, ensuring fair treatment under the law. “This heartless eviction is not just an affront to the individuals directly affected but a stark reminder of the systemic injustices faced by First Nations. We stand firm in demanding justice and immediate support for those who have been so callously displaced,” she said.
The AMC emphasizes that tenants have a legal right to 24-hour notice before entry, a standard ignored in this case. The mass, no-notice eviction also underscores the severe shortage of safe, affordable housing for low-income renters in Winnipeg. Despite federal funding managed by entities like Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), resources are insufficient to meet community needs effectively.
“Appropriate Government oversight must ensure that funds reach those most in need. For First Nations, our treaty right to housing should guarantee that no First Nations person is homeless or faces the threat of homelessness. Clearly, the current oversight fails to uphold this commitment,” Deputy Grand Chief Kennedy concluded.
The AMC urges all levels of government to conduct a thorough investigation, hold those responsible accountable, and provide immediate assistance to displaced residents. Priority should be placed on securing housing and belongings and supporting residents in rebuilding their lives. Safeguards must also be implemented immediately to prevent more evictions like this.
The AMC remains committed to collaborating with affected individuals, community leaders, housing advocates, and officials to address these issues and uphold human and treaty rights.
For more information, please contact:
Communications Team
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
Email: media@manitobachiefs.com
About the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
The AMC was formed in 1988 by the Chiefs in Manitoba to advocate on issues that commonly affect First Nations in Manitoba. AMC is an authorized representative of 62 of the 63 First Nations in Manitoba with a total of more than 172,000 First Nations citizens in the province, accounting for approximately 12 percent of the provincial population. AMC represents a diversity of Anishinaabe (Ojibway), Nehetho / Ininew (Cree), Anisininew (Ojibwe-Cree), Denesuline (Dene) and Dakota Oyate (Dakota) peoples.