The Raphaël tent, named in honor of Raphaël Napa André, this Innu who died from the cold last year, will be demolished this Saturday, April 30. The City of Montreal has ordered the organization to cease its activities.
Those responsible for the tent and their relatives do not understand the lack of recognition for this service, which is both unique and important and has received up to 98,000 homeless people since it opened.
The Raphaël tent is a place where, by storm, you can enter and finally eat and warm up. It is survivalsaid Suzanne André, the mother of Raphaël André, an elder and Naskapie ishkueu who hails from Kawawachikamach.
When Raphaël was in Montreal, every night, I thought of my son and in the morning when I woke up as well.explained Suzanne André. The same goes for my wifehe says.
We lost our child in a tragic way and I think of other homeless people in the same situation. I’m worriedhe added.
The lives of homeless people in the absence of the Raphaël tent are very hard to imagine, Ms. underlined. André. These people who live on the streets receive a lot from such service. I see it as a big wound, a big loss.
Raphaël André’s niece and Suzanne André’s granddaughter listen to her grandmother’s words. He also shared:
” Putting people to sleep outside and in the cold is like sending hunters into the woods, into the cold, with no shelter and no equipment. “
Everyone is ready for this important service by the end of April 2022. Alexandra Ambroise, head of tent activities, an Innushkueu who has been honest with herself since the tent opened, lives in the heart of this last resort service. .
My mother always says: Tan auen ua itenitakushit, tan auen ua ishinakuannit itinniun, iapit tshika ui minu-tutuau auenmeaning: Regardless of a person’s state, regardless of their experience, you must accept them without prejudice.
There is a lack of recognition for the uniqueness of this service, he said.
” It is a place that welcomes beneficiaries to the state where they are. People need to be accepted, to be loved as they are. “
There is no alternative
Suzanne André explains, in her own language, chef Jean-Charles Piétacho works hard for tent services.
She is grateful. He knows the nuances of homelessnesshe says. She also knows this problem as a parent, since her adopted daughter is homeless in Ottawahe says.
At the heart of Aboriginal traditions, Chef Jean-Charles Piétacho incorporates these traditions by expressing sincere and shared gratitude for the fate of the Raphaël tent.
Where will these people go next? he wonders. Ever since Raphaël André disappeared, I have been involved in the process of building a permanent place and participating in discussions, I know the tent is temporary and not completely safe.he said.
” So I offered the Mayor of Montréal, Valérie Plante, to build a permanent place with the partners involved since the beginning of the Raphaël tent operation. “
In its 2020-2025 reconciliation plan, the City of Montreal outlines its intentions to take into account Indigenous realities and needs. To work at the heart of the cultural security of indigenous peoples also.
However, it still believes the Raphaël tent will cease its operation on April 30, 2022, with no real alternatives or concrete ways for the homeless.
In writing, Ms. explained. Alia Hassan-Cournol, Associate Advisor to the Mayor and for Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, while expressing the desire to consider the values and needs of Indigenous Peoples, that at the end of federal government funding, the The Raphaël tent project must be completed by Saturday 30 April.
The Minister responsible for Indigenous Affairs, Ian Lafrenière, said for his part that this was a temporary solution from the beginning, reminding the importance of working on long -term solutions. The Minister recalled in particular that an amount of 3.6 million was invested for the Resilience organization.
For many homeless people, there are too many rules
Alexandra Ambroise, a former police officer, reminds us that there are guidelines at other residences and residences in Montreal. I know them as well as their stakes. Normally rules prevail in these important sheltershe says.
Suzanne André’s son died for fear of violating the rules by hiding from police in a chemical toilet. It was in this context that the Raphaël tent imposed itself.
It was supposed to exist for two weeks and due to demand and traffic, it imposed itself as a long -term need. and of last resort, said Alexandra Ambroise again.
We have all witnessed tent traffic that clearly meets specific needsalso underlined Chef Piétacho.
” Where are those who should help with financing, witnesses to the services offered, their particularities and traffic? “
It is a great sadness for us that the beneficiaries have found themselves without overnight support and that we have not been able to find solutions to a problem that affects all the citizens of Montreal, and not just the Aboriginals. a person.added Chef Piétacho.
” Our native humanitarian traditions do not allow us to close our eyes. We are not at peace. “
Within 15 months, the Raphaël tent received 98,823 homeless on April 23, 2022.
Different needs, period. We have seen people take to the streets during these 15 months of activitiesexplained Alexandra Ambroise.
Those who are not yet ready to go out, and that is something we respect, we are there for them in delivering this service last way.said Alexandra Ambroise.
If one night someone is upset or in crisis, we must respond and intervene, but this person is invited to come back the next day.he explained. The next night, it was no longer the same man or the same woman, this person was accepted and respectedhe says.
And these are important values in the healing of a traveler. To love. To listenhe recalled.
Imagine how miserable and homeless the people felt for 15 months. Recognized and acceptedsaid Alexandra Ambroise.
It is in this context that the loss of the tent is unreasonable for the partners, as it meets beyond any doubt basic needs and the other shelters do not meet them.added Chef Piétacho.
A place of healing and peace
Jean-Charles Piétacho could not give up.
The Aboriginals shared the territory and despite the betrayals of colonization, they like to think that the sharing could be a substitute, even in this case a place of permanent replacement of Raphael’s tent.
” Hundreds of homeless people will lose service. A place designed for them. Itinerants of all origins. A specific service designed and supported in accordance with rules adapted to their needs. “
After the tragic death of Raphaël André, we witnessed a wonderful and steadfast mutual help that was born in the Raphaël tent, recalls chef Piétacho. And the activity manager, Alexandra Ambroise, already has the ability and heart for the goal. He is the right personhe said.
Behind the figures, the Raphaël tent is more than just a tent.
It is an offer of services in itself that must be renewed in a safe place while continuing to serve 98,823 homeless people moving in for 15 months.
The tent was also united. Several cultural activities took place last summer in the outdoor area. A place of pride day and night, like a call to a life off the streets for those who get there.
” My adopted daughter is homeless in the city of Ottawa. I want to love and know him too. My wife and I want it. We know he went through some difficult times when he was young. “
Chief Piétacho said he was the first and foremost in a family before becoming the leader of a community. He feels challenged as a parent too, he concludes. I pray for my son and I will pray for others, Raphael’s mother said Andrew.
Source: Radio-Canada
