Family of Raphaël André sends 'cry from the heart' for better resources for homeless in Montreal
An event to commemorate the life of Raphaël André was held in Montreal’s Cabot Square Friday at Espace Raphael-André, a warming tent erected during the winter to provide shelter and food to those experiencing homelessness.
André’s family attended the event, along with Indigenous leaders who made an urgent call to the city to allow the tent to remain open.
The warming tent was erected following the death of André, an Innu man whose body was found frozen in January near the shelter where he'd been keeping warm during the day, but which was closed at night on public health's request.
His death made headlines across the country as people demanded better access to services for homeless people during the pandemic.
The tent, which opened on February 2, serves approximately 700 people each week.
People living on the street can warm up and take shelter in the tent. Food and coffee is also available.
It was organized by the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal with support from the city as well as individual donors.
However, since the tent has been operational, the city repeatedly imposed and extended deadlines for when it must come down.
Organizers say that before the tent can be removed, resources for those without homes are needed.
Among them was Raphaël André’s family, who travelled by road from Schefferville, a community more than 1,000 kilometres away, to attend the ceremony.
“Like most Indigenous people who are homeless in large cities, Raphael had much suffering to overcome,” said Carmen André on behalf of André’s family in a news release.
“We send out a cry from the heart to ensure that services adapted to people experiencing homelessness and from Aboriginal communities continue on an ongoing basis.”
“It is our collective responsibility as a society, both the Indigenous communities who have supported this initiative from the start, as well as government and municipal partners, to ensure that these people have access to services adapted to our culture and their specific needs,” added Jean-Charles Pietacho, Chief of the Innu Council of Ekuanitshit.
“If nothing is done and no place is permanently available to them, they will have no choice but to stay on the streets and try to survive by other means.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Cyclist issued fine for striking four-year-old girl crossing the street
A cyclist turned herself in and received a fine after striking a four-year-old girl who was crossing the street to catch a school bus.
Protest encampment cleared by Edmonton police early Saturday morning
A protest encampment set up on the University of Alberta campus was cleared early Saturday morning by Edmonton police.
'We have no judge for you': Man's assault charges dropped weeks before trial due to lack of judges in Toronto
A man who was accused of sexually and physically assaulting a woman had his charges dropped in April, just weeks before he was set to stand trial in Toronto, due to a lack of judges in the region.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Dutch contestant kicked out of Eurovision hours before tension-plagued song contest final
The Netherlands' contestant in the Eurovision Song Contest was dramatically expelled from competition hours before Saturday's final of the pan-continental pop competition, which has been rattled by protests over the participation of Israel.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
IN PHOTOS Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Mildmay, Collingwood and St. Thomas, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.