Sik-Ooh-Kotoki Friendship Society. (Google Maps)

By David Opinko

Officials working to assist at-risk population after warming shelter closed during extreme cold

Jan 6, 2022 | 2:34 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – UPDATE: This story has been updated with further comment from Sage Clan.

The group says their social media post from Wednesday night, regarding the closure of the Sik-Ooh-Kotoki Friendship Society’s emergency warming shelter, was not posted in conjunction with the Friendship Centre and “what we had posted had nothing to do with what the Friendship Centre has said.”

“The post was a statement from Sage Clan based on what was seen and experienced.”

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The City of Lethbridge wants to make it clear that the closure of the Sik-Ooh-Kotoki Friendship Society’s emergency warming shelter was not their decision.

During a period of extreme cold this week, the shelter was closed and vulnerable people looking to get out of the winter weather were directed to go to the Alpha House shelter instead.

The Sage Clan posted on Instagram Wednesday night, saying that “The city of Lethbridge is shutting down the emergency shelter at the @sikoohkotoki on 2nd Ave South.”

When one person commented on the post asking why this was happening, Sage Clan replied by saying, “We are not sure. Complaints but we are not clear on what exactly the complaints are.”

The city’s Director of Community Services Mike Fox, says this is simply not the case.

“We are reaching out to see where the comments originated from and why they were, but the city did not close down the warming shelter at the Friendship Centre. We are working with them to make sure that they are successful, but we are reaching out to the Sage Clan to make sure that we understand their concerns and making sure that, in future, that we don’t have these types of miscommunication.”

The City of Lethbridge was quick to point out that it does not own, operate, or fund the Sik-Ooh-Kotoki Friendship Society.

In a press release, the city says they are working with key partners such as the Diversion Outreach Team (DOT), Alpha House, and Sik-Ooh-Kotoki to ensure a seamless transition between facilities.

Fox adds that Sik-Ooh-Kotoki’s shelter was only supposed to be opened on a temporary basis. It was scheduled to shut down on Tuesday, January 11 when temperatures are forecast to be warmer.

“When they opened the warming centre, it was supposed to be open for a two-week period and that two-week period comes to a close on Tuesday coming up. So what we did is we met with all the partners to make sure that we have a plan in place. So as it transitions and starts to close down, because they’re the only are open until Tuesday to make sure that the necessary resources to make sure people are being able to find warming centers and being able to find shelter space are available.”

LNN heard from readers that some clients of Alpha House had been asked to leave their shelter and go to Sik-Ooh-Kotoki instead, only to be redirected back to Alpha House when it closed down.

As part of the city’s press release, Alpha House’s Executive Kathy Christiansen said no such thing has happened.

“Alpha House has always been supportive of unhoused individuals having options in terms of the services they are able to access, particularly in this cold weather and we appreciate all the work that has been done over the past few weeks to make that happen. We will continue to work with our partners in the sector to ensure those that need shelter are able to access it. Demand at the Shelter has been high but we have not turned anyone away and we will continue to ensure anyone who wants to stay is able to safely do so.”

The Sage Clan adds in their social media post that they looking to “load people up with clothes & blankets as they can no longer stay in our emergency shelter.” They are urgently looking for people to donate backpacks and duffel bags.

LNN also tried to get in touch with officials at Sik-Ooh-Kotoki regarding the reason for the closure of their warming shelter, but we were advised that they are planning to send out a statement later today.

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