Providing meaningful spiritual care to Indigenous populations experiencing homelessness

In Canada, it is estimated that approximately 35,000 people are homeless, with another estimated 50,000 people being at risk of homelessness (Webb & Gazso, 2017). Indigenous populations are vastly overrepresented in their experience of homelessness, being ten times more likely to become homeless than non-Indigenous people in Canada (McCallum & Isaak, 2011). Indigenous homelessness is defined as a separation and disconnect from one's indigeneity, where one cannot culturally, emotionally or physically reconnect with their identity or the relationships and practices which would support that (Thistle, 2017). This paper analyses the role of the church, religion, and spirituality as it relates to homelessness both historically and presently for Indigenous people. Specifically it attempts to understand more deeply how varying ideologies and theologies around spirituality impact Indigenous people experiencing homelessness today in Winnipeg Manitoba, by understanding the perspectives of service providers in these areas. ; October 2020