Projets Autochtones du Québec

PAQ's mission is to create a better everyday life for Indigenous women and men experiencing homelessness, or at risk, in urban Montreal.

We do this by:

1. Building Community

PAQ is more than just a physical space: it is a supportive community for Montreal’s Indigenous homeless and at-risk population. It is a home to people who have experienced profound trauma, and stigmatisation, where they find compassion, dignity, and respect. PAQ supports community members on their healing journey, and on their own terms, cultivating opportunities for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples to live and express their individual cultures, celebrate their lives, and fulfill their potential.

2. Providing Services

PAQ provides a wide range of accessible services and referrals that fulfill the basic needs and promote the well-being of the urban Indigenous community in Montreal:

• Shelter, safety and other basic services: emergency shelter beds; meals/nutrition; showers and laundry; emergency clothing; telephone, television, computers, internet; etc.
• Supportive Housing: culturally adapted housing options that meet the needs of community members, including managed alcohol and other harm reduction programs
• Psycho-social support: crisis intervention, counselling, street outreach, welcome and orientation for new arrivals in the city, and accompaniment in achieving personal, employment and financial goals.
• Life-skills and confidence building: structured program for participants to develop the confidence and skills they need to prepare for and maintain stable housing, find employment, and build community.
• Health and Justice: on-site medical and legal services and referrals.
• Cultural activities: arts, music, film, outdoor activities, life and holiday celebrations

3. Advocating for the health and housing rights of urban Indigenous Peoples

PAQ recognizes that urban Indigenous peoples face a multitude of barriers and discrimination in accessing health and housing services. We work constructively with other Indigenous organizations and allies to plan and advocate for accessible and culturally adapted public and community services that meet our community’s needs and promote their health and well-being.