Dodie Jordaan
For providing a safe haven for at-risk Indigenous women in Winnipeg
Dodie Jordaan is the executive director of Ka Ni Kanichihk, a non-profit that runs Velmas House, Winnipegs only no-questions-asked shelter for Indigenous women at risk of sexual violence. Winnipeg is seen as Ground Zero for murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls, and the Two Spirit community, says Jordaan. We were the only major [Canadian] city without a 24/7 safe space for women and the gender diverse community.Velmas House opened in 2021, and in October 2022, $6.9 million in federal funding was announced to expand their facilities and deepen their programming.We allow people to come in wherever theyre at in life, says Jordaan. We have people who are doing survival sex work, or leaving violent, intimate-partner relationships. Many women who come to Velmas House dont meet the criteria at traditional shelters because they have their kids with them or theyre struggling with substance use disorder.In addition to providing food and shelter, Velmas House also connects clients to services offered by Ka Ni Kanichihk, including counselling, a health clinic, addiction care and job training. They operate on an Indigenous model of care, which includes a 10-week healing program and access to elders and knowledge keepers. The federal funding will increase the number of beds from 10 to 60, and open more spaces in the Ka Ni Kanichihk daycare.Indigenous people, especially Indigenous women, dont access health care as much as they need to, because of colonization, racism and fear of the medical system. But at Ka Ni Kanichihk, says Jordaan, you see nurses, and youre also greeted by aunties and elders. Having basic needs is about more than physical health, she says. Its also about self-worth. Having a place where you can heal, where youre not being judgedis a step toward additional goals.A.B.
