On September 28, the City of Saskatoon celebrated the grand opening of the Coming Home Centre, an important new space dedicated to supporting Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit people and their families.
Led by Indigenous Initiatives and the Office of the Matriarchs, the Centre represents years of collaboration, planning and commitment to creating meaningful supports for the community.
"The Coming Home Centre is a dream that has been years in the making," says Melissa Cote, Director of Indigenous Initiatives. The vision for the Centre grew from the City's 2021 IWG2S (Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit Peoples) Coming Home Report, which explored ways to improve safety, well-being and access to supports for Indigenous women, girls and Two-Spirit people who have experienced violence, trauma or exploitation. The new Centre is a major step forward in putting those recommendations into action.
Created as part of Phase 2 of the IWG2S Coming Home Report, the Coming Home Centre will provide a welcoming, culturally appropriate place where women and families can find support, advocacy and connections to services. Acting as a navigation hub, the Centre will help people access community resources while bringing together City departments and community partners to better support families.
The Centre is located in the First Nations Bank Building at 224 4th Avenue South, on land leased through Yellow Quill First Nation. The space will be home to the Indigenous Initiatives department, the Office of the Matriarchs and the Coming Home Centre. Choosing a location on reserve land reflects the City's commitment to reconciliation and strengthens Nation-to-Nation relationships, while creating a space that feels welcoming and comfortable for those it serves.
"For the comfort and safety of our families, it was important to find space that met the needs of our families, where they feel safe, and at home," says Auntie Advocate Dorthea Swiftwolfe. "We support these families during some of the most difficult times in their lives. This location will allow us to offer cultural practices such as smudging and ceremony more easily, ensuring families can receive the support they need, when they need it.”
The Coming Home Centre will also create space for Indigenous-focused roles across the organization. With room for up to 11 employees and a dedicated meeting space, the Centre supports the City's efforts to attract and retain Indigenous employees while building a workforce that better reflects Saskatoon's diverse community.
There is a sense of pride and optimism about what the Coming Home Centre will mean for Indigenous women and families in Saskatoon. "The Centre marks an important new chapter, one built on partnership, respect and a commitment to helping families find the support they need,” says Cote.
