Together with the provincial government, the City of Red Deer, and the Red Deer Native Friendship Society, the Asooahum Crossing affordable housing complex held their grand opening this morning. (October 25th)

Elders, members of Red Deer City Council, and the Ministers of Indigenous Relations and Seniors and Housing were both on hand to cut the ribbon for the 16 suite unit, along with traditional drum performers.

Minister of Indigenous Relations Richard Feehan says the vision for this housing project has been in the works for years.

“Two years ago Kim Schreiner, the MLA for this riding (Red Deer North), brought us down in a bus and showed us, it was just a field with a lot of trees. Now, here we have residences for 16 families, and plans for phase two and phase three coming up. This is truly a community success.”

Phase 2 and 3 include building of a tower, a peace path, more housing, and an office space for the Friendship Society.

The next phase is hoping to be completed by 2020.

President of the Society Dwight Mandrusiak says although the population of Red Deer has grown by 10.9% since 2011, that doesn`t mean affordable places to live increased at the same rate.

“There is a great need for affordable housing; that is a huge issue in Red Deer. I’ve been communicating with other agencies within Red Deer, that we are looking at partnerships with, and working together to try and achieve the goal that everyone has a safe place to live.”

The goal of the centre was to provide safe and affordable housing for Indigenous people, but Mandrusiak says Asooahum Crossing is available to anyone.

There was also a ceremony presentation of a blanket, presented by students at the G.H. Dawe School to the Friendship Society. It was one of two blankets designed by about 90 grade 6 students, which was inspired by Orange Shirt Day, and features a different piece of fabric in each section of the blanket, as well as colours of the medicine wheel. One is hanging at their school, and the other will be hung at Assoahum Crossing.

3 of the 16 suites are currently occupied, with the first tenants moving in last spring. A few of the lower level units have been speciality equipment for seniors and those with mobility issues, such as wide sliding doors and a wheel chair ramp.

(Red Deer Native Friendship Society President Dwight Mandrusiak speaks in front of one of the blankets created and donated by students at the G.H. Dawe School)