Kohkum Sahkitowin

The Cause

“Kohkum Sahkitowin” translated from Cree to English means, “A Grandmothers Love.” As someone who’s already pledged profits from my newly published book, “Lights After Life: An Urban Indigenous Hip Hop Story.” I have been building up to this which is a life long goal of helping the underprivileged community in Edmonton’s city streets. “Kohkum Sahkitowin” is an initiative honouring our grandmothers by providing care and support to those who need it the most, just as our grandmothers would. It is an initiative created in which food gift cards, basic hygienic needs, donated clothing, winter accessories, and a resource services info list will be provided to the homeless or desperately in need in a well thought out care package as a backpack. I have accumulated a few volunteers and many donations since starting on this goal. I have social workers who have agreed in assisting with resources lists for each backpack and have already been handing out winter care back packs for two years. This is not a regular backpack for the homeless, it contains warmth and essential needs as well as a gift card for food. This is providing real love, care and support as if it was coming from the warmth and care of our grandmothers. This idea is different from my previous application as instead of one big event I can create a better connection by distributing backpacks 20 at a time.

Who Will it Benefit?

Edmonton as a city and community will benefit. In order to help correct the homeless situation in Edmonton we have to create a level of awareness and care that means holding ourselves accountable to treating the underprivileged with the utmost respect and dignity bringing resources and support directly to them through this initiative. Countless times in our city the homeless community is uprooted and forced to move from their safe spaces with no regard for their safety and the effects this may cause on their lives. If we continue to relocate these communities they will only move to the next spot and never really disappear. As a city and community we have the opportunity to create a better relationship, environment, and reputation with our vulnerable populations by engaging and offering support from the front line instead of removal and confrontation.