The 3000 hot dogs and beverages disappeared almost as quickly as they were placed on tables at Winnipeg’s Central Park yesterday. Volunteers from Bear Clan Patrol and Mama Bear Clan worked alongside local businesses to ensure hundreds of unhoused community members received food and essential supplies during a special National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration.
“We see the need growing every month,” said Darlene Reid, a coordinator with Mama Bear Clan who has been organizing community support events for seven years. “Today isn’t just about acknowledging Indigenous culture—it’s about showing up for the most vulnerable members of our community, many of whom are Indigenous.”
The event, which ran from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., offered more than just food. Volunteers distributed over 500 hygiene kits containing toothbrushes, soap, and feminine products. Local barbers provided free haircuts, while healthcare workers offered basic wellness checks and referrals to medical services.
According to the latest Winnipeg Street Census, Indigenous people represent nearly 70% of the city’s homeless population despite making up roughly 12% of Winnipeg’s overall population. This stark overrepresentation underscores the ongoing impacts of colonization, residential schools, and systemic barriers.
“What we’re seeing today is community caring for community,” said Kevin Anderson, executive director of Main Street Project. “But let’s be clear—while these events provide critical immediate support, they don’t address the underlying housing crisis or the need for trauma-informed care that acknowledges Indigenous experiences.”
The timing of the event during National Indigenous Peoples Day was intentional, organizers said. Traditional drummers performed throughout the day, and Elders offered teachings between food service. For many attendees, the cultural connection was as nourishing as the food.
“I haven’t heard the drums in years,” said Robert, who declined to give his last name. He’s been living in various shelters since losing his housing last winter. “This reminds me of home, of my community up north. It’s not just about getting fed today—it’s about being seen.”
The collaborative effort brought together unlikely partners. Corporate sponsors including Sobeys, which donated food supplies, worked alongside grassroots organizations like Bear Clan Patrol. City councillor Sherri Rollins attended, noting that such partnerships demonstrate what’s possible when different sectors unite around a common cause.
“The city needs to take notes from what’s happening here today,” Rollins said. “This is the kind of community-led response that works. People feel safe, respected, and cared for. Our formal systems often fail to create that environment.”
Temperature records were broken yesterday as Winnipeg hit 34°C, making the cold beverages particularly welcome. Volunteers distributed more than 2,000 bottles of water and sports drinks, critical support during extreme heat that disproportionately affects those without housing.
Medical volunteers reported treating several cases of heat exhaustion and dehydration during the event. “People living outside or in shelters with limited cooling options are especially vulnerable to heat-related illness,” said nurse practitioner Maya Singh, who volunteered at the event. “Access to water isn’t a luxury—it’s literally lifesaving.”
Behind the scenes, months of planning went into securing donations and coordinating volunteers. Small business owner Jason Kang, who operates West Broadway Convenience, contributed $500 worth of supplies and closed his store to volunteer for the day. “This neighborhood has supported my business for fifteen years,” he said. “This is my community too.”
For those working directly with Winnipeg’s unhoused population, the event highlights both the community’s resilience and the failures of existing support systems.
“We’ll feed people today, and they’ll be hungry again tomorrow,” said Bear Clan Patrol coordinator James Favel. “We need affordable housing, mental health supports, and addiction services that honor Indigenous healing practices. We need to address the poverty that keeps our relatives on the street.”
The event comes as Winnipeg grapples with encampments in various parts of the city, most visibly near the Maryland Bridge and along the Assiniboine River. Last month’s city council meeting included heated debate about approaches to addressing these encampments, with some councillors pushing for removal while others advocated for more supportive housing options.
Community advocates point out that single-day events, while valuable, cannot replace systematic change. “Today we’re celebrating Indigenous culture while addressing immediate needs,” said Margaret Harris, an Elder who offered teachings throughout the event. “But true reconciliation means addressing the colonial policies that created homelessness in our communities in the first place.”
As the event wound down, volunteers packed remaining supplies into vans for distribution throughout the week. The Bear Clan Patrol will continue its regular rounds, checking on community members and offering support beyond this single day of focused giving.
“The drums stop today, but our work continues tomorrow,” Favel said. “This isn’t charity—it’s community taking care of its own. And we’ll keep doing it until systems change enough that we don’t have to.”
