By Joanne Paulson

Just two weeks after Tribal Chief Mark Arcand was named Saskatoon’s 2022 Citizen of the Year, the Saskatoon Tribal Council held a gala and fundraiser honouring him and his achievements.

It was sold out; 800 people attended the event.

“I think we sold 96 tables in 14 days and I believe we raised about $50,000 for the wellness centre,” Arcand said in an interview.

The Emergency Wellness Centre was among the many reasons Arcand was chosen for the honour.

Founded by the Tribal Council under Arcand’s leadership, the centre was originally located downtown on First Avenue, but they knew it wasn’t a long-term solution, even as the homeless situation became more crucial when The Lighthouse closed its emergency shelter.

In December, after an intense search for a new location, the wellness centre moved to a larger space in Fairhaven.

“It’s improved drastically because we moved locations,” Arcand said. “The facility has a better space now for relatives.

“We’re on a big private property so we have actual green space for individuals,” and a paramedic helps support the needs of the people coming to the shelter, he added.

“So, it’s really coming together and that’s phase one of what we’re doing.

“Phase two, once we get the funding to do that, is to add a commercial kitchen, individual rooms, more showers, a laundry service facility, so we can actually put some relatives to work . . . (while) making it a better space.”

The council is also looking at an addition on the south side of the building to add more program space, Arcand said.

The former church measures approximately 20,000 square feet and is separated into four units for women, men, families and an overflow; the first location was simply one room.

“We’re averaging about 106 people per night; we’ve been maxed out,” he said. “Even the overflow is sometimes packed. “The most we had one night was 44 people in our overflow.”

The province is the major funder, while private donors and the recent fundraising event have added to the budget.

The shelter does not have charitable status, Arcand said, which is unfortunate; but people are still giving. When the council put out a call for Christmas gifts, for example, they received 400 to be distributed at the shelter.

“It tells me Saskatoon is invested in the fight against homelessness, mental health and addiction and supporting what we do as a community,” Arcand said.

“That’s the key to all of this, is that the community is coming together to try to solve an issue that’s paramount in our city.”

Among other achievements were the vaccination clinic held in 2021 for all members of the community; and two crisis vans, to help with mental health and addictions, will likely be operational in the spring.

Through a capital campaign, the vans are fully funded for five years and will go to schools to support with mental health for kids and families, Arcand said. He sees the vans as helping in a preventative and proactive way.

For example, the crisis staff will be able to evaluate situations and also connect and transport people between other supports in the city such as the White Buffalo Youth Lodge.

“We’re lucky and we’re blessed at the Saskatoon Tribal Council to have a lot of these services in-house. Instead of going out to another organization . . . we can do things inside of our organization.”

Also important to Arcand has been the reconciliation work he and his team have engaged in over the past few years.

“All of our reconciliation work . . . is front and centre, trying to promote working together Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. For us, it’s having non-Indigenous people be educated and understanding about our cultural ways.”

Holding powwows, for example, and allowing the community to see everyone from the children to the kookums dancing and singing is an important way to connect the community.

“And giving the narrative of what that dance means, what that song means. You have to remember residential schools took that away from all of us. Now we’re putting it front and centre in major cities in Saskatchewan.”

Arcand’s next goals are to build on present successes.

“My goal is to make sure that the current Emergency Wellness Centre is running perfect — proper funding proper services, and getting phase two complete.

“If we can’t get that right, we shouldn’t be looking at another step.

“But the other step we’re looking at is clinical needs for people with high needs.”

He sees perhaps eight to 12 home care style beds in a unit staffed by a nurse or nurse practitioner who can help with complex challenges and give people the proper medical care.

“This is not an easy situation for us. We are into a field here that is really dealing with tough work.”

CTV Saskatoon selected Arcand for the award for his leadership and many accomplishments.

“Mark’s many contributions to our city extend beyond his role as Tribal Chief for Saskatoon Tribal Council,” said Bell Media’s Jeff Bollenbach, general manager for Manitoba and Saskatchewan, radio and television.

“He works tirelessly to create an inclusive environment in our community, with an aim toward improving the lives of all citizens, especially those most vulnerable.”

Arcand said he was “very grateful and honoured. I believe I’m the first First Nations person to receive this award in 56 years. It’s a big accomplishment as a First Nations person.

“I accept it on behalf of the people. That’s who got me into this position.

“I have a fantastic team behind me. I have seven chiefs that fully support and (also) my board of directors . . . they’re the bosses. All the staff have made it possible for me to receive this award on behalf of them and all the people we serve. It’s not about me, it’s about the people.”

Arcand is a married father of four with three grandchildren and is from the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation where he was raised by his great-grandparents. His uncle, Eugene Arcand, received the Citizen of the Year award in Prince Albert in 1993.

“I think we have made a little history here. I learned from him; now I hope our relatives can learn from me and him, about how we’re helping people.

“To be selected and nominated is a good opportunity for the people. It’s good to be acknowledged, but I wish we could acknowledge all of our people.”

• Joanne Paulson