The Blog

Follow along as we work towards systems change and help create better outcomes for kids in our community.

Men’s Resource Survey

May 02, 2016

One of the topics that we have seen come up quite often throughout our research is that people would like to see an increase in the number of resources available to men in the North End. Often we hear from families who feel that programming in the area is doing a great job of providing services for women and children, as is very needed, but at the same time many men are feeling like they have nowhere to go to find help, or that they are being shut out of family processes altogether. It’s for this reason that Supports for Dads is one of our initial 5 Proofs of Possibilities.

We’ve recently released a survey on the topic of resources available to men in the North End in order to get a clearer view of where gaps exist in the area and what it is exactly that men in the community would like to see change. This information will allow us to better understand the issue so that we can more effectively develop solutions.

We’re currently looking for people who identify as men, who live/work/volunteer in the area, and who are over the age of 15 to complete the survey. After completing the survey you’ll have a chance to enter a draw for a $100 Polo Park gift card.

Please click on the link below to complete the survey, or if you do not identify as a man, then please pass the survey on to a family member or friend who you think might be interested in filling it out!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZKLCRB2

Land Acknowledgement

The Winnipeg Boldness Project resides in and works on the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary lands of the Anishinaabeg (Ojibwe), Anishinabewaki (Oji-Cree), Dené, Michif Piyii (Métis), Nêhiyawak (Cree), and Očhéthi Sakowin (Dakota). We recognize that we have benefited from and continue to benefit from colonization on the Treaty 1, Treaty 3, and Treaty 5 Territories.

It is important to also acknowledge how we benefit in this territory at the cost to Indigenous Peoples. Winnipeg has been drinking clean water for over a century via an aqueduct from Shoal Lake. In 1917, 3000 acres of Treaty 3 was declared property of the city of Winnipeg to build the aqueduct. This aqueduct was built over ancestral burial ground, to build these structures, the ancestors were disinterred and reburied. Construction of the aqueduct changed the waters significantly, causing the peninsula to become a man-made island. This now isolated Nation faced many challenges as a direct result from this aqueduct; Necessities like water, groceries, schools, and mail were only accessible via the dangerous trek to the mainland. Lives of adults and children were lost crossing to and from the mainland. Freedom Road, an all-weather road access finally opened summer 2019, over a century after displacement. This road, a testament to the success of Indigenous-led solutions, helps bring materials to build schools and a water treatment plant.

“I always think of it, even when I turn on the tap I’m like this comes from our community and this water probably contains our ancestors and the spirits of our ancestor. I think about the hardships of the people from Shoal Lake 40 who have gone through so many things for the benefit of Winnipeg’s drinking water,” says Angelina McLeod.1

Another benefit we reap in Winnipeg at a cost to Indigenous Peoples and land is the Hydro Electricity Development in Treaty 5. To optimize water movement for greatest power production the Province of Manitoba increased waterflow by creating the Churchill River Diversion in 1976. The modification of the waterflow caused flooding, shoreline erosion, and changes to water quality. This destruction of habitat has caused disruption to waterway travel, fishing, and hunting.

  1. https://www.aptnnews.ca/facetoface/spirits-of-our-ancestor-shoal-lake-40-is-rectifying-a-century-of-hardships/