Shelter

Reliable transportation in remote and rural Indigenous communities is critical to increasing safety, reducing isolation, supporting independence, and providing critical access to healthcare, education, employment opportunities, and support organizations.

However, it can be difficult to not only create reliable public transit routes but to maintain them in communities with wild terrain and unreliable weather. Many communities struggle to come up with the finances to keep public routes running.  

Located approximately 45 minutes from the nearest major town, Shawanaga First Nation in Ontario recently acquired a bus to provide daily runs to town for grocery shopping, banking, medical appointments, and other personal needs. To ensure its residents remain safe, the community is launching the Shawanaga First Nation Transit Project to purchase and install bus shelters throughout the community. These shelters will provide protection from weather for those using the transit service, particularly Elders, youth, and families who rely most heavily on public transportation. The community transit bus already plays a critical role in improving access to essential services, and the addition of bus stops will strengthen the overall transit system by making it safer and more welcoming. 

The Indigenous Reconciliation Fund (IRF) is providing funding to help sustain this project from January 2026 through 2028. The funding will contribute to the operation of the community transit service, including salary support for community transit bus drivers. The IRF’s contribution will ensure the transit service not only runs consistently for passengers but is affordable and trustworthy. 

Diocese of Peterborough