With the weather getting colder, the Bissell Centre and Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society are hosting a Winter Clothing Drive in Edmonton. It’s scheduled for Oct. 27- 28 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Christie Pace is the program manager with the Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society’s Practise as Ceremony cultural support service. The non-profit Bissell Centre had contracted Bent Arrow to provide cultural teachings and medicines to Bissell Centre community members throughout the pandemic. This winter clothing drive is being held, in part, to honor the partnership created between the two organizations.

“We just want to come together and celebrate our partnership and the great work that we’ve done together," she said. "The drive is to, you know, it’s in regards to an urgent need to help the vulnerable people to keep warm during our harsh winters, Edmonton winters. We have worked with the Bissell Centre since over the summer. We’re coming to the tail end and we just wanted to, you know, do something together and provide some comfort to our vulnerable community.”

This drive will help support Bissell Centre participants. The centre is committed to raising people out of poverty. Bent Arrow is committed to building culturally strong Indigenous children, youth and families. Pace says any donation of warm clothing will help this winter.

Any items can be dropped off at the Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society at 11648-85 Street or at the Bissell Centre at 10530-96 Street.