Wednesday, October 16, 2019 started off with a press conference and release of artistic works centring community voices on housing, dignity and the experience of poverty with partner iHuman Youth Society. (See footage from the event here)

Joining the crowd of almost 30 city staff, community stakeholders and artists, we heard from speakers City Councillor Dziadyk, Co-chair of the EPE stewardship roundtable Michael Phair, as well as important perspectives from those with lived experience of homelessness and poverty (Johnny Video); in addition we kicked off the day by celebrating the contributions of the talented team of artists we worked with over the course of this project.

YEGDignity Artist Team

Shima Aisha Robinson aka Dwennimmen

Edmonton (Treaty 6) born poet and spoken word artist Shima Robinson embodies, with every poem, the ancient meaning of her chosen pen name. Dwennimmen is the name of an ancient African Adinkra symbol, which means strength, humility, learning and wisdom. It is no surprise, then, that this veteran of the Alberta poetry community uses a searing intellect and dynamic precision-of-language to create poetry which ushers her readers and listeners toward greater understanding and poignant reflection.

“My interest in dignity stems both from the belief that dignity is an inherent quality for all living things but also that dignity is a process of cultural ascription as we understand it in the colonial world. I want to uncover and illuminate my concepts of dignity through poetry that addresses the issue with a nuanced approach to both of these forms of dignity”, Dwennimmen.

“Road Map to the Pot of Gold (poem excerpt)
I’ll use a map to find the pot of gold
at the end of the rainbow road
I stand painted Black
To withstand attacks
Inward flashes
Of momentary madness
Counted among the hapless
I’ve got a rap sheet miles long
In the eyes of the strong
That I recognize by landmarks
In neighbourhoods known as trigger zones”

Matthew Cardinal

Multidisciplinary artist Matthew Cardinal sees art as a home - a comfortable place to escape to, drift away in, and a place to release stress and tension. Originally from John D’Or prairie in Alberta, Cardinal’s jovial, optimistic demeanour can often be found in his poetry, drawings, paintings, and music. Inspired by art itself, as well as many of the people in his life (real and street families), Matt hopes his work becomes more recognized so he can share it, and his story with the world.

Paiste/Paul Mattingsley

Paiste is a multi disciplinary artist who is an emcee/producer, emerging painter and visual designer.

He explores emotion and existence through abstract creations, often using found objects as his canvas and chaos and vulnerability as his inspiration.

Christopher "Day One" Carlson

Day One is an independent First Nations artist from Maskwacis, Alberta, but you can likely find him posted up with a canvas and paint marker anywhere in the province. Day One has established himself as a creator with the ability of displaying his passion for indigenous culture while blending it with modern hip-hop symbolism.

Chelsey Louis

Videographer/photographer Chelsey Louis, Born, in Saddle Lake raised in Edmonton found enjoyment from capturing moments in time and believes that these recordings will speak more words than she can share. It is more than just a voice, that she had found it is a gateway to a brighter Destination towards opportunities and self discovery. Her hopes and dreams are to play a role in helping others progress throughout their own journeys As well as build upon her own.

Community Panel on Housing and Human Rights.

(closed captioning provided)

45 community members, advocates and guests came together to witness stories of hardship and hope, with participants invited from SAGE, Self Advocacy Federation, Migrante, iHuman Youth Society and Shades of ColourYEG.

We asked:

What do people working within the system, need to know about the barriers to basic housing and dignity faced by you/your community?

What are the key things to consider, in order to have dignity in affordable housing solutions?

Here are some of the things that we heard

“There’s a lot of barriers for people who have housing issues and face homelessness. One of the barriers people face is intergenerational trauma...and not having access to education or basic needs met like water, clothing, food.”

“For me it's taken me ten to fifteen years to find housing that was accessible and affordable. [I use a walker] And my first apartment I was climbing in and out of the basement suite every day carrying equipment up and down. My first apartment was affordable and manageable but not accessible or safe.”

“Accessibility is something that is not defined by one definition, it’s personal to us as individuals. When it comes to housing we must remember it's not just access, it's not just paying rent, it's also in a safe neighbourhood for kids and adults.”

“In 2014 I came as temporary foreign worker to Canada. Since then, if you ask me about housing and dignity, I don’t have. Why? Because I'm tied in my contracts to one employer, which I’m scared to say NO.

“When I came here as temporary foreign worker they put me in one room, I have to share with other people. And this would be ok with my own bed as long as I can send money home to parents, for my kids education.”

“11 months ago my husband went to work on Monday and didn't come home. I got evicted. A friend took me in,...he fell in March and didn’t come home from the hospital, he went to a nursing home. I couldn’t stay anymore. Now, I'm staying with another guy, just yesterday morning he told me to get out. I have nowhere to go.”

“I’ll share what is affordable housing: Accessible for wheelchairs, entry, access and the hoops you have to jump through, like waiting lists.

“Do you have enough income to qualify? Do you make too much? Who is in charge of what is accessible or affordable?”

Affordable housing is “Safety in a building. I’m a single mom and my place isn’t safe. Domestic violence on a daily basis. We call the cops constantly.”

“When you’re experiencing homelessness you are labelled. Under scrutiny. And you are under the microscope when you get housed. People take advantage of that. Landlords take advantage.’

“New housing initiatives, you talk dignity, the language sounds great but when you get down to meat and potatoes, those same barriers and views people have on homeless are still in place. The discrimination I mean.”

“Most places want $700/month plus power. I’m only getting $745 support. How can i maintain? It's impossible. How do I feed myself?”

Thanks to JHC team, volunteers, partners, contributing artists, community participants and everyone for coming out. Thanks to the Aviary and Gutto Cooperative for the food! Shout out to EPE for continued support and our funder The City of Edmonton.

Dignity Day 2019 Summary