Edmonton is making history. Nichole Brown, a Cree and Saulteaux woman from the Louis Bull Tribe, is spearheading efforts to establish Helen Hazel House, the city’s first Indigenous-led second-stage women’s shelter. Since 2022, she’s been planning this vital resource — and she’s now hunting for the perfect location.
The Need Is Real:
Edmonton is home to the second-largest Indigenous population of any Canadian city. Yet, Indigenous women continue to be vastly overrepresented in shelters. In fact:
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28% of clients at Edmonton’s current second-stage shelters are Indigenous.
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Across Alberta, that number jumps to 60%
Why This Shelter Is Different:
Helen Hazel House will be led entirely by Indigenous women, from the board to frontline staff. It honors Nichole’s aunt, Helen Hazel Desjarlais, and embodies the spirit of “an auntie’s love” — offering culturally safe, respectful care grounded in Indigenous wisdom and community.
A Personal Mission:
Nichole’s own experiences fuel her mission. She fled abusive relationships, encountered homelessness, and struggled in traditional shelter environments that failed to meet Indigenous needs. She wants a shelter that understands — trauma-informed, culturally aware, and rooted in healing.
A Community Effort, Not Just a Shelter:
While it’s designed for Indigenous women, Helen Hazel House will welcome all women in need — because healing is strongest when rooted in cultural identity and shared understanding.
What You Can Do:
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Spread the word. Follow Helen Hazel House’s progress and any call for donations or volunteers.
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Support Indigenous-led initiatives. This is reconciliation in action, where Indigenous leadership meets community safety.
👉 Read the full news story behind this important milestone here, and watch this space for ways you can get involved.
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