Cultural Space Opening -March 31, 2025

Access to affordable housing, food, adequate healthcare are often labeled as basic needs all people need. BUT many overlook the impact connection to cultural and spirituality have on a person's overall wellbeing. This week, we open a Cultural Space at the Bridge, our 24-hour shelter located in Dartmouth. The purpose of the space is to provide residents and staff to prayer, create and find ways to reconnect with their cultural and spiritual practice. The space is equipped with prayer mats, religious text, beading materials and various Indigenous medicines for all to use.   

Language is a huge part of culture for many, with that said, staff wanted to open the space on Indigenous Language Day to further emphasizes the important of language and cultural as a source of connection for Indigenous people. Those who attended the opening were able to check out the space and were treated with Indian Tacos.  

A special thanks goes out to all the staff who supported the creation of the space and programming. Though shelters are not meant to be a permanent home for anyone, creating spaces to allow for people to feel connected to community can have a lasting impact on their overall mental health, sense of self and connection to community.