A memorial was held in Montreal’s Cabot Square on Wednesday, honouring the loss of 33 people who experienced homelessness in the city and died over the past three years.
Half of those honoured were Indigenous women.
These individuals did not have a proper funeral after they fell victim to the intersecting crises of housing shortages, inadequate emergency homeless services, limited access to health care and forced displacement, says a news released by Resilience Montreal and the Native Women’s Shelter.
“Truly accessible services to the unhoused population, which honour their dignity and humanity, should be in every neighbourhood in Montreal,” said David Chapman, executive director of Resilience Montreal, in the news release.
Nakuset, executive director of the Native Women’s Shelter, said she has held multiple vigils at Cabot Square and nothing has changed. But she refuses to give up.
“I think when you don’t recognize people who have passed away, it hurts everyone. It hurts the community. People need to mourn,” she said.
The memorial provided an opportunity for community members to mourn collectively. Many attendees learned for the first time about the deaths of people they once knew, as displacement often causes individuals experiencing homelessness to lose track of their friends, Nakuset said.
She said some of those honoured were in and out of housing, and are an example of people who needed more than just a place to live. They needed supportive housing to help them get back on their feet, she said.
The City of Montreal has intervened in 460 homeless encampments in the past year. And with warm weather on the way, front-line workers are expecting to see more.
Since the pandemic, she said there is an increasing number of people seeking help, but services cannot keep up with the demand. More shelters and services are needed, she said, and simply shutting down homeless encampments — displacing people — is not an effective way to manage the issue.
Myriam Shoot, a caseworker with Projets Autochtones du Québec (PAQ), recognized several names on the memorial board, having worked with those who sought refuge at PAQ’s overnight shelter.
Shoot underscored the urgent need for more housing and enhanced support services, including addiction treatment.
“It’s very tragic that all these people passed away and there hasn’t been any recognition or memorial for them. So that’s what we are trying to do here today,” said Bonnie Hannah, an executive assistant with the Native Women’s Shelter.
But not all stories have a tragic ending.
After getting evicted three years ago, Claudia Sebalo experienced homelessness in Montreal, relying on shelters like Chez Doris.
She has seen the danger of drug addiction and the tensions experienced on the streets, she said. She recognized some of the people being honoured during the memorial, and she said drugs like fentanyl are often to blame for the deaths.
She said Montreal does have a range of services for people in need, but “you got to put your mind to it and get yourself together.”
“Concentrate. That’s it, and you’ll find your dream,” said Sebalo. “That’s what I am doing.”
With a smile, Sebalo said she is finally moving into a new apartment on Thursday.
“I’m so happy,” she said. “Thanks to Chez Doris, I am back.”