‘Our housing needs to grow’: St. Catharines advocates want more help for Indigenous communities (Niagara This Week)

(https://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/10498398--our-housing-needs-to-grow-st-catharines-advocates-want-more-help-for-indigenous-communities/)

‘Our housing needs to grow’: St. Catharines advocates want more help for Indigenous communities

Elizabeth Sault from the Niagara Regional Native Centre says we need to look at the biases that exist in the community

Abby Green

Niagara This Week - St. Catharines

Thursday, October 21, 2021

What was once a saving grace for Mary Ellen Simon has now become more of a burden.

The Indigenous woman rents a large home in St. Catharines that fit her late son’s wheelchair he used after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

“I had a child that was very ill, so housing was a saving grace for us because the rent geared to income could flex so that I could stay home, if necessary,” she said.

Unfortunately, her son died late last year. Now Simon is stuck with a large house that she says she can’t move away from. Simon’s eldest son, partner and their baby still live with her.

“I am the lease holder, and there’s a policy that says I can’t pass the lease on to my adult children that have grown up in the same house. So, if I wanted to move out of the city for work, my children would be homeless.”

Faced with that dilemma, she’d be stuck between choosing a job and a home for her son’s family.

“I’m not going to leave them homeless, especially in a market like this where everything is so terribly expensive and them being young, it’s harder for them to obtain a lease.”

She said another problem her family faces is a lack of intergenerational wealth.

“You can’t even buy a house in the city anymore on a single income, so really the only options for us right now are to find a place that’s maybe a basement or a top floor of a home, for more than what I originally had a mortgage for,” she said.

OUT OF REACH: Niagara's housing crisis

Read the entire series

Elizabeth Sault, healing and wellness co-ordinator at the Niagara Regional Native Centre, said there are many barriers in the way for Indigenous people to obtain affordable housing.

“Ontario works, ODSP, etc. is not enough to support a family,” she said. “And when you work as a member of the Indigenous community, you’re making half of what your non-Indigenous co-workers are making.”

For some of the assistance programs, there are credit checks, bank statements and other requirements that people must qualify for, and Sault said a lot of Indigenous people have trouble meeting the criteria.

“Just recently, one of our seniors from our communities said she could not get housing, so she pays $1,500 a month for a motel room,” she said. “The motel is asking an extra $200 a month for a mini fridge and a microwave.”

Sault would like to see an increase in funding for Indigenous housing. She said it’s impossible to house people in Indigenous specific housing, as the wait time is years.

“If you do not have a status card or belong to a community, you do not qualify for Indigenous housing,” she said. She said we need to take a look at the biases that exist in the community around Indigenous people.

Saleh Waziruddin, an executive member for Niagara’s Anti-Racism Association, said the region doesn’t do enough when it comes to housing discrimination.

“In the U.S., the government does paired testing, where they will send people who have the same qualifications on paper, but maybe one’s white and one’s Black or Indigenous, and they will see if the landlords discriminate,” he said. “That isn’t done here.”

“I think our Indigenous housing needs to grow; opportunities for Indigenous housing should be increased. I don’t think there’s enough,” said Simon.

“It’s a shame to see these families ended up in the Niagara region because they were displaced from reservations for whichever reasons, and now the cities say, ‘We can’t do anything either,’” said Simon. “It feels like they only want to capture high market rents, and everything is getting so expensive so how do you live?”

STORY BEHIND THE STORY: The housing crisis is having a big impact on every facet of life in Niagara. With that in mind, reporter Abby Green wanted to connect with those in the Indigenous community to hear about the unique challenges they face when looking for appropriate housing.

The uglier side of living in Niagara (The Fort Erie Post)

(https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/local-fort-erie/news/2021/08/10/the-uglier-side-of-living-in-niagara.html)

The uglier side of living in Niagara

Harassment of Fort Erie woman not an uncommon event, anti-racism group says

Set Fort Erie as My Local news

By Richard HuttonReporter

Tue., Aug. 10, 2021timer3 min. read

Is Niagara — and Fort Erie in particular — a racist community?

The issue of race came to a head in town recently after one family was threatened via a letter left in their mailbox. In an anonymous letter, the writer threatened the life of Natalee Cole, who is Black, and her daughter. It was the culmination of a months-long campaign targeting Cole.

“I will burn your house down with you inside,” the letter stated.

Cole had finally had enough and went public.

“I’ve been suffering in silence for eight months,” she said. “I just couldn’t bear it anymore.”

It’s not something she experienced in an ethnically diverse community in Brampton, where she lived prior to moving to Fort Erie in December 2018.

“It would happen more in the workplace,” she said.

As horrendous as the incident may seem, it’s not something that is uncommon, according to Saleh Waziruddin of the Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association.

“People are being harassed by neighbours using bylaw enforcement and police to get at them,” Waziruddin said. “It’s almost always been Black residents. Fortunately, with one exception, bylaw and police have not taken the bait.”

It’s difficult to gauge how big a problem racism is in Niagara. Information, Waziruddin said, is sparse.

“We know racism is there,” he said. “We hear from people who move here from the (Greater Toronto Area), that they are experiencing it more than they were back in Peel or the GTA, but it’s anecdotal.”

He said that the Niagara Regional Police have begun reporting incidents of hate crimes as a part of the service’s annual report.

“So we’re getting some information,” Waziruddin said.

The NRP, meanwhile, are continuing their investigation into the incident, said Stephanie Sabourin, manager of corporate communications for the police service.

“Due to the active nature of this investigation, we are unable to provide further information so as not to jeopardize the investigation nor, would we be able to speak to conversations with persons involved in investigation,” she said in an email response to the Fort Erie Post.

She added that the Fort Erie incident, for the moment, is not being classified as a hate crime.

“At this time, charges have not been laid and while being actively investigated, there is no evidence to suggest race-based motivation at this time,” Sabourin wrote. “Detectives take numerous aspects into consideration in the course of the investigation, ultimately they need to be able to prove a nexus between a crime and their bias towards an identifiable group.”

She also said that Niagara as a whole is not seeing an increase in reported crimes that reach the threshold of a hate crime, which are investigated by District Detective Offices with assistance of a designated member of the Intelligence Unit trained in hate-motived occurrences.

“In 2020, there were 10 reported hate-motivated incidents with one criminal charge laid,” Sabourin said.

The NRP has an Equity Diversity and Inclusion Unit that is active in the community, Sabourin said.

“On a daily basis, they are developing relationships with community members and providing education and support to equity seeking groups within our community and addressing any concerns.”

Cole, meanwhile, is managing as best she can given the situation.

“I have an impeccable attitude,” she said. “I’ve done 20 years of door-to-door sales. I’ve learned to suck it up.”

That being said, it doesn’t mean the experience hasn’t affected her or her daughter, Miracle.

“It should have not taken place in this day and age,” she said. “We have to be able to identify that person.”

THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY: The Fort Erie Post wanted to look deeper into the issue of racism in Niagara after documenting the experience of a local Black woman who was sent a threatening letter where the anonymous writer threatened to burn down the woman’s home with her and her daughter inside.

'I will burn your house down with you inside’: Fort Erie woman who is Black receives threatening letter (Toronto Star and Niagara This Week)

(https://www.thestar.com/local-fort-erie/news/2021/08/01/i-will-burn-your-house-down-with-you-inside-fort-erie-woman-who-is-black-receives-threatening-letter.html)

'I will burn your house down with you inside’: Fort Erie woman who is Black receives threatening letter

Community rallies to show support for Natalee Cole, who is terrified by anonymous letter threatening her family

Set Fort Erie as My Local news

By Paul ForsythReporter

Sun., Aug. 1, 2021timer3 min. read

updateArticle was updated Aug. 03, 2021

Warning: This article contains content that may be disturbing to some readers. 

Natalee Cole can’t help but wonder if it’s her skin colour — and not her taste in music — that prompted a hateful, anonymous letter in which a stranger threatened to burn her Fort Erie home down with Cole and her seven-year-old daughter, Miracle, inside.

Cole, a Black woman in a predominantly white neighbourhood, says she has been living in terror since she received the handwritten letter in her mailbox a week ago, the third such letter from someone demanding that she turn her music down.

The latest letter ramped up the vitriol, demanding she turn her music down “or the neighbours and I will burn your house down with you inside … stop the noise or burn in hell.”

Cole said a number of other letters have also been sent anonymously to Niagara Regional Police and town hall, demanding action be taken against her.

NRP media officer Const. Phil Gavin said police began an investigation into the threatening letter on July 23 and the investigation continues.

For Cole, who moved to the border town two years ago from Brampton, the harassment seems motivated by something other than the karaoke machine in her home that she likes to play.

“I was shocked beyond belief and I was really scared, overwhelmed and wondering why,” she said in an interview. “I feel I’m being targeted. I am a Black woman and I feel this has something to do with it.”

“(But) I can’t afford for them to break my spirit and my happiness,” she said.

Cole said she feels vulnerable, fearful for the safety of Miracle. “Who knows if they’re watching me?” she said. “It’s really creepy.”

But on Saturday, her community showed her that she’s not alone: upwards of 100 people, including many of her neighbours, turned up in front of her home to show her support.

“I love your music,” one woman said, hugging Cole.

“We’re there for you,” said another neighbour, a man who lives behind Cole.

“We want you to know you’re not alone and we’re here for you,” said resident O’Brien Martinez.

Two teen girls brought Cole a package of fresh cookies. “God bless you,” she told the girls.

Cole told some of the visitors that the stress of the threat has taken a huge toll on her and Miracle.

“Emotionally I’m broken,” she said. “It’s traumatizing for a seven-year-old.”

Aidan Barron, who lives a few doors down, said — after telling Cole the community is behind her — that he only found out about the letter the night before. “I was devastated,” he said.

As a white man, he acknowledged he can’t fully understand what people who are Black, Indigenous or people of colour experience in terms of intolerance or racism. “All I can do is say ‘I love you and I support you,’” he said.

Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association (NRARA)’s Saleh Waziruddin said the type of intimidation Cole is experiencing won’t work and will not be tolerated.

“We have seen many Black residents in Niagara targeted by racist neighbours who try to use the police and bylaw enforcement to harass Black people to leave,” he said in a statement.

The NRARA’s Vicki Lynn Smith told the crowd the community needs to collectively stand up against hatred.

“We must fight, fight, fight,” she said.

Martinez, a man of Mexican descent who grew up in Texas, said he knows the sting of racism all too well.

“I’ve been pulled over by the cops and I was scared for my life,” he said. “You get that kind of ugly look when you walk in a restaurant.

“There are too many people who pretend it doesn’t happen.”

Cole told the large gathering, including Mayor Wayne Redekop and Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates, that as rattled as she is, their support is making a difference.

“Just your presence allows me to feel we’re in this together,” she said.

“This stops today,” she said. “I’m taking my power back today.”

Council Notebook: St. Catharines supports seeking private partner to run airport (St. Catharines Standard coverage of asking City to not deploy Police on beaches)

(https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/news/niagara-region/2021/05/14/council-notebook-st-catharines-supports-seeking-private-partner-to-run-airport.html) 

Council Notebook: St. Catharines supports seeking private partner to run airport

A few happenings from St. Catharines city council this week...

By Karena WalterStandard Reporter

Fri., May 14, 2021timer5 min. read

updateArticle was updated May. 17, 2021

[snip]

Police not being asked to patrol beach area

A request to have more police in the Sunset Beach area to deal with illegal activities wasn’t supported by council.

Grantham Coun. Dawn Dodge made the motion after receiving a lot of complaints from residents living near the beach who see people racing, operating vehicles impaired and even riding on jet skis being towed down the road.

But council heard from two members of the Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association, Vicki-Lynn Smith and Saleh Waziruddin, who said there are members of the community who wouldn’t feel welcome on the beach with a police presence because of their experiences and history.

Waziruddin said black and indigenous people of colour are over-policed and many LGBTQ2+, people with disabilities and those who’ve had trauma do not feel safe when police are around.

“There is no reason we can’t be able to feel safe when enjoying the beach through using city staff for enforcing the rules,” Waziruddin said.

“Even the police have said they shouldn’t be used as a substitute for other agencies and staff.”

Dodge said her intent wasn’t to have police officers walking along the beach but in the area to deal with safety concerns.

“I’ve have a lot of complaints and a lot of concerns for safety from residents with street racing down here, drunk and disorderly, people leaving the beaches,” she said.

Councillors voted 9-3 against the idea.

The city is planning to do increased bylaw enforcement at Sunset Beach this year, have a security contractor provide security services and have student ambassadors whose duties will include notifying proper authorities of infractions.

Karena Walter is a St. Catharines-based reporter, primarily covering City Hall for the Standard. Reach her via email: karena.walter@niagaradailies.com

Speech to St. Catharines City Council Against Deploying Police to City Beaches

Speech on behalf of the Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association to St. Catharines City Council against the proposal to use police for security on city beaches

Thank you mayor and councillors for giving me time to speak this evening. I am Saleh Waziruddin, a resident of St. Catharines and here as a member of the Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association.

Amendment 2 from item 10.5 on your agenda talks about an increased police presence at city beaches. The beach strategy survey showed only a handful of comments asking for more police, and all but one or two were talking about police as substitutable with bylaw enforcement, beach ambassadors, or other city staff or security. There were far more people asking for security than asking for police, with one resident even saying “we don't need policing.”

In the Ontario case R vs Morris the judge accepted facts that showed Black and also Indigenous and People of Colour are overpoliced, and this ruins our lives to such an extent that the judge is using it as a factor in sentencing. Some local business owners have been quoted in the media openly saying they want more police to push marginalized people out.

Clearly not everyone feels safe around police, BIPOC LGBTQ2S+ people and many people with disabilities and trauma do not feel safe when there are police around. There is no reason why we can't be able to feel safe when enjoying the beach through using city staff instead for enforcing the rules. Even the police have said they shouldn't be used as a substitute for other agencies and staff.

Please do not ask for a police presence at city beaches, please remember not everyone feels safer around police.

Anti-Asian sentiment the one major downfall in a suprisingly positive Twittersphere, Brock researchers find (Niagara This Week and St. Catharines Standard)

(https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/local-st-catharines/life/2021/04/27/anti-asian-sentiment-the-one-major-downfall-in-a-suprisingly-positive-twittersphere-brock-researchers-find.html) 

Anti-Asian sentiment the one major downfall in a suprisingly positive Twittersphere, Brock researchers find

Racialized, anti-Asian sentiment a stain on an otherwise positive Twittersphere, Brock study finds

Set St. Catharines as My Local news

By Luke EdwardsReporter

Tue., April 27, 2021

It’s safe to say the world, and especially social media, has become a divided and negative place during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Or is it?

A Brock University study on social media behaviour at the onset of the pandemic may surprise people who think of Twitter as a cesspool of negativity. The study, led by assistant professor in health science Antony Chum, found Twitter users to be far more positive when discussing the pandemic.

“At the aggregate level…there were twice as many positive tweets than there were negative tweets,” Chum said.

His team analyzed 1.5 million COVID-related tweets published in Ontario between March 12 and Oct. 31 of last year. Running it through artificial intelligence software, each tweet was then coded as being either positive, neutral, or negative, and given a score between +1 (very positive) and -1 (very negative).

The results showed a surprising amount of positivity on Twitter, with posts like “I really hope the silver lining of COVID 19 is people being kind to each other. We’re all in this together” (scored +0.73 by the AI) being much more common than many would expect.

Chum and his team – graduate students Andrew Nielsen and Zachary Bellows, research associate Eddie Farrell, software engineer Pierre-Nicolas Durette, professor Gerald Cupchik from the University of Toronto and assistant professor Juan M. Banda from Georgia State University – conducted the study as a way to take the pulse of Ontarians during the early months of the pandemic. It could also have a practical use.

“We need to calibrate the public health messaging so we can alleviate any sort of fears or address controversial policies in the public health communication,” he said.

For the most part, announcements of additional restrictions only increased the volume of tweets, but didn’t increase the negativity.

“While there was a lot more discussion in general, we found that, overall, there weren’t too many people up in arms on either side,” Bellows said.

Negativity did increase more with full provincial lockdowns than partial lockdowns and higher case counts led to increased negativity. For each 100 additional new cases per day, negativity increased by three per cent.

But on the whole, Twitter wasn’t the bastion of the angry it can be made out to be, according to their findings.

That doesn’t mean the results were all sunshine and roses. When it came to negativity, Chum said many of the tweets were quite toxic, and often took on a racialized tone.

“I think those tweets definitely stand out, it’s easy to see the negativity,” he said.

Chum said those who use social media should be mindful of what is pushed out onto those platforms and support groups who get targeted.

“Stay positive and also be mindful of when there’s negative sentiments out there, especially when they’re targeting specific racialized groups,” he said.

Saleh Waziruddin, with the Niagara Region Anti-Racism Association, agreed.

“To counter it, it would be good if when people saw that they spoke up about it and to kind of counter the people (who are spreading racist messages)," he said.

He said people think they can get away with anti-Asian comments right now and people he's talked to experience it in their everyday travels.

For those experiencing anti-Asian racism, he said people can stand up if they're willing to risk the backlash. But getting support from others can go a long way.

"Even privately messaging them and asking them to speak up that would help create a safe space for everybody.”

The Brock team has continued to collect and analyze data with a plan to publish more reports, including the sentiment to additional lockdowns over the winter and spring and the rollout of vaccinations.

Story Behind the Story

Though the world may seem more divided and angry, the Brock study paints a more positive picture. Reporter Luke Edwards investigated to see what's really happening and where the negativity is most acutely felt.

Harriet Tubman Day Speech as Chair of the City of St. Catharines Anti-Racism Advisory Committee

Harriet Tubman is not the kind of resident that we can just be proud to have in our history here in St. Catharines, but instead she is someone whose living legacy we have to live up to, we have big shoes to fill.

Harriet Tubman was a black woman who did not stay within the restrictions the society and politics of the time limited her to, she did whatever it took to get justice for her people. We in St. Catharines can't limit ourselves to thinking that as a lower-tier municipality we have to wait for the other levels of government to catch up to do right by Harriet Tubman's community which is still part of St. Catharines, and the BIPOC and other equity seeking communities that are part of our city.

If the federal, provincial, or regional governments are behind on what they should be doing, the City government still has a role to do whatever can and needs to be done to bring what needs to happen closer.

Just to give you two examples that have come up recently, the anti-racism advisory committee has been looking at what the city can do about hate speech and hate signs if hate crimes are not being fully prosecuted by the Crown. Also, groups have been asking the province to test landlords for housing discrimination and take them to the human rights tribunals. If the province won't do the testing then let's find a way for the City to fill in the gaps.

Harriet Tubman's legacy is not just a history but is also our accountability. Thank you all for attending this event in her memory today and let's make it part of getting more involved in eliminating racism with Harriet Tubman as someone to live up to.