I’ve hesitated to share these over the years because I’d never want to exploit a vulnerable community to put attention on myself. But things are pretty bad out there and I hope by sharing these, I can help to humanize the drug poisoning+health+housing crises and show the beauty of just a few of the hundreds of folks I’ve had the privilege to meet and photograph at various social agency pop-ups in our downtown core. The unconditional love, community spirit, and joy I get to be a part of at these sessions are like nothing else despite such brutally oppressive conditions around.

Our governments in power constantly stripping away the resources needed for survival. Continuing the colonial genocide on this community, many who are Indigenous to this land.

Feeling the cold these days and thinking about how so many of these folks still do not have any good shelter or warm places to go. What that does to the human spirit. Thinking too about what Rebecca of @waterwarriors.yeg recently said at our lunar new year banquet about hunger. The choices you are forced to make when you haven’t had a decent meal in days, weeks, years.

While we’re still on these apps owned by faschist tech billionaires, let’s support our community using them. Follow and support mutual aid groups @tawaw.outreach.yeg @waterwarriors.yeg @4b.harm.reduction @prairie.sage.protectors @aiyacollective @ecohh_yeg

Listen to @keepmovingpodcast @newvoiceschinatown

Give money when you can. Carry extra bus tickets, gift cards, gloves/socks/toques. Volunteer your time and skills. Amplify positive messages and share actions we can take. Support local businesses that raises funds for these groups. Let’s not lose all hope (reminding myself too).