The Kenora Makwa Patrol is excited and grateful to announce a brand-new office space for their program!
Since the Kenora Makwa Patrol’s inception in 2020, the patrollers and Makwa staff have been working out of the location (201 Main Street South) in the downtown core. This location was a great space for the program to grow and develop, however as the program has expanded over the last 3 years, the patrol has outgrown its current office space.
In partnership with the City of Kenora, Kenora Makwa Patrol will relocate their administrative office to the City’s Station 2 Firehall (1008 Ottawa Street, Keewatin).
“This is a very exciting opportunity Kenora Makwa Patrol, this new building will allow for much more space for the team, and is a part of the evolution of the service and responding to the operational needs,” says Jennifer Dreaver, Executive Director for Kenora Chiefs Advisory.
“The Makwa patrollers lead this service with their hearts – Miigwetch to the City for showing support for the Makwa Patrol and the importance of serving the vulnerable and unhoused community members in Kenora,” concluded Dreaver.
Makwa staff and community members gathered for a Grand Opening celebration on February 21 at the new location, with opening prayers and blessings from Elders George Land and Agnes Paul.
Opening remarks from City Councillor Barb Manson followed, with Acting Manager of the Patrol, Jennifer Lebel, and Director of Community Health and Cultural Services, Veronica Fobister, both thanking frontline patrollers for everything they do in the community.
Lebel and the Makwa Patrol also prepared a gift for Anida Ross, acknowledging the loss of her daughter – Delaine Copenace – which set us on the path to creating the Makwa Patrol, as well as her strength and the work she has put in since. Refreshments were then served for those in attendance.
In addition to working out of the Station 2 Firehall space, the City of Kenora has also recently added a new public washroom in the downtown core. There will be a small space within this building that patrollers can access as a place to distribute supplies to patrons.
“The Makwa Patrol Program is an important program in our community and a vital part of supporting people in need. We are grateful for all the work this program does and the ongoing partnership we have with Makwa Patrol and Kenora Chiefs Advisory. We are happy to continue supporting the work that they do and the relationship building we continue to grow through this program” states Mayor Andrew Poirier.
The Kenora Makwa Patrol will remain very present and central downtown, and this new space will enable a larger administrative area for office and clerical duties of the program.
We want to send a big Miigwetch to the City of Kenora as we have navigated these challenges together, as well as all the other partners who sit on the Community Council for the Makwa Patrol. This has been a positive experience working together in partnership.
If you or anyone you know requires Makwa Patrol Services please call 807-464-SAFE.
