'Very concerning': FSIN Chief calls out remarks on homelessness made by city councillor
FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron is calling out a Regina city councillor over her line of questioning about homelessness. Ward 7 Coun. Terina Shaw recently asked whether some people choose to be homeless, a question that Chief Cameron said perpetuates racist and uneducated views.
Shaw asked whether some choose to be without a home during a council discussion on solving homelessness.
“I heard this one by an Indigenous person. She talked about people with an Indigenous culture that don’t want to have homes,” she said during the meeting. “Can you address that and speak to that for me please because until I heard that from her, I had no idea that there were people like that who existed.”
The social agency to which the question was directed seemed to agree with the premise.
“You know, some may choose to not have a home per say. They’re more comfortable in living with different people from moving around so I can see that that happens,” said Sheila Wignes-Paton of the Phoenix Residential Society.
The organization went on to suggest that this does not apply to the majority of the homeless.
The exchange was very upsetting to the FSIN and its chief, Bobby Cameron.
“So that comment obviously was disrespectful, it was not one that’s accurate at all. I mean, who wants to be homeless? A pretty serious comment she made and very concerning,” he said.
The Chief suggested those involved need a better education on the underlying causes of homelessness.
“You know the intergenerational trauma and other after effects of residential school has contributed a great deal to the addiction, the mental health issues,” he said.
Coun. Shaw could not be reached for comment. The FSIN said it would like to sit down with her to provide an Indigenous perspective on the issue of homelessness.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.