Athabasca Tribal Council and Wellness Society Push Back on MLA Tany Yao’s Comments About Indigenous Housing Program
FORT MCMURRAY, Alberta — The Athabasca Tribal Council (ATC) and the Wood Buffalo Wellness Society are strongly disputing recent comments made by Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo MLA Tany Yao regarding Tawâw Housing, an Indigenous Permanent Supportive Housing Program.
During a provincial Question Period on November 7, Yao raised concerns about the program while addressing the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions about the new Recovery Alberta agency. “In Fort McMurray the Tawaw Housing First Partnership aims to support Indigenous individuals yet concerns have been raised about the misuse of supportive housing for drug-related activities,” said Yao in the Legislature. “I’ve even confirmed this with my own municipal officials,” added Yao.
Chief Allan Adam, President of the Athabasca Tribal Council and Chief of Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, described Yao’s remarks as a “clear misrepresentation of the facts.” Adam stressed that Tawâw Housing is a critical lifeline for the region’s most vulnerable individuals.
“The ongoing mental health and addiction crisis in the region has had deadly consequences for the First Nations communities of the region,” said Chief Adam. “Programs like Tawâw are desperately needed services in the region.”
The Wood Buffalo Wellness Society, which oversees Tawâw, also defended the program, stating it has delivered positive results. According to the Society, 80 per cent of residents have participated in Alberta Health Services addiction recovery programs, and residents have graduated and transitioned to independent living.
ATC is calling on the provincial government to engage directly with Tawâw Housing to understand its contributions to the community. “These comments undermine the vital work being done and ignore the progress made,” Adam said.
Harvard Media News has reached out to Yao’s office for comment and will update the story when they respond.
Tawâw Housing serves as a supportive resource for individuals facing housing instability, particularly those who are hardest to house.