Mamwi Gidaanjitoomin (Together We Change It)

The Mamwi Gidaanjitoomin (Together We Change It - Anishinaabemowin) project, led by Dr. Angela Mashford-Pringle, aims to privilege Indigenous knowledges to address homelessness in the general population. Every year, countless people who are unable or unwilling to access emergency shelter freeze to death in the city of Toronto. To address this long-standing issue, this project intends to provide low-barrier winter shelter for people experiencing homelessness or precarious housing in an urban setting. Through the erecting of a traditional Indigenous building structure, this initiative will also help increase awareness of Indigenous structures and Indigenous knowledges as the structures will be visible in the cityscape. As seen below, the Mamwi Gidaanjitoomin project is composed of four aspects, each providing unique opportunities for Indigenous peoples, people experiencing homelessness, and the general public. (Source: Angela Mashford-Pringle, Waakebiness-Bryce Institute for Indigenous Health, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto).

(Sheila is a collaborator on this project, and funding is currently being sought; Images courtesy of Angela Mashford-Pringle).