'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
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
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.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'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.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.