Meegwetch to those who gave to the clothing drive

Press Release

Mushkegowuk Council’s recent clothing drive is being hailed a success with full credit going to those community members who supported the effort and generously donated.

Nick Gunner, coordinator of Mushkegowuk’s Fire Keeper Patrol, said the number of donated items they received over the three-week campaign filled 20 large plastic bags.

The distribution of the clothing items is now being overseen by the Fire Keeper Patrol — a branch of Mushkegowuk Council which provides outreach for urban Indigenous members experiencing homelessness in Timmins.

From Nov. 17 to Dec. 5, donation bins were set up at two Mushkegowuk offices in Timmins.

“We got items such as boots, coats, we got some ski pants and blankets,” said Gunner. “We also got some other clothes like jeans and T-shirts which the clients also need.

“We took them to our Fire Keepers’ office and that’s where they were sorted. When clients came in, we let them know we had winter clothing items and if somebody needed, for example, a new coat, we would provide them with one.”

Gunner said some of the clients would come in after learning about it through “word of mouth,” or when they dropped in for a coffee.

“We run a coffee program, so if clients came in for a coffee and if they needed an item, we would go through it for them and hand it out.”

Deputy Grand Chief Natasha Martin made the initial push and organized a team of Mushkegowuk staff members to launch this clothing drive.

“It was really overwhelming,” said Martin. “The people that I spoke to who wanted to give and when I would check the offices, the piles of clothes that were there were amazing.”

The need for this initiative was reinforced when the Mushkegowuk Council of Chiefs declared a state of emergency in Timmins due to high levels of homelessness and limited access to shelters within the city.

“This was so badly needed,” said Martin. “We don’t have funding at Mushkegowuk to provide clothing, so this was a really great initiative to supply warm clothing to people in need.”

She concluded by expressing her appreciation to those who supported the effort.

“A big heartfelt thank you to everybody who donated to this clothing drive.”

ILR5