The City of Guelph has approved a request to sever a portion of a newly purchased property to be used as an Indigenous healing space.
Thresholds Homes and Supports bought the land on Hyland Road earlier this year. It’s actually two properties side-by-side at the end of the dead-end street. One property has a home on it, the other is vacant and overgrown, blending in with the natural space.
Thresholds, a community-based mental health provider, asked to sever a portion of the property to give it to Crow Shield Lodge in an Indigenous land trust. Crow Shield Lodge specializes in Indigenous healing in Guelph, Kitchener and New Hamburg.
Eric Philips, Thresholds CEO, was a guest on The Mike Farwell Show and said donating the land speaks to the organization’s core values.
“We’re committed to reconciliation. We’re about 200 staff strong, and every single one of those individuals deeply believes in reconciliation and Indigenous relationships,” he said. “So, this was the perfect opportunity for us to really demonstrate that commitment.”
But, some residents are concerned.
Phillips said some have questioned how the neighbourhood will be impacted by more foot and vehicle traffic. They have questions about the nature of the Indigenous healing space and, in particular, if it could lead to an encampment.
They also expressed concern about potential impacts on the natural space that has become a favourite feature of the neighbourhood.
Philips said all those issues are valid and have been taken into consideration. He said both Thresholds and Crow Shield are committed to being good neighbours and good stewards of the land, but once folks get to know them, those worries will dissipate.
“I think as much as we want to acknowledge those concerns, we have received phenomenal feedback from broader members of the community who believe in this work and can’t wait to participate,” he said. “And, I think that’s what we want to take away from this initiative is the positive love, appreciation and support for Crow Shield Lodge that has come from the broader Guelph community.”