Where is Home? (2016) Documentary on Homelessness & Residential School Effects in Canada (Full Film)

"This was by far the most thought provoking documentary I have ever watched. Absolutely amazing and well put together. I will be recommending this to everyone I know."
Curtis Michael Sheck
“Outstanding. Honest and very informative.”
Wilton Littlechild - Commissioner for Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC)
“This is a wonderful documentary it provides a reality check and should be seen.”
Maria Fitzpatrick - MLA Lethbridge-East
“…incredible documentary about homelessness in Lethbridge”
Mayor Chris Spearman
"Dignity, respect, compassion and humanity are cornerstones of this important work. We are grateful for the intensity and insight....
We look forward to it being shown far and wide."
Diane Randell - City of Lethbridge
"This film is a must see for everyone in Lethbridge and area.
A powerful film! Wow."
Em Pÿl
“Where is Home?” is an eye-opening documentary film focused on homelessness and the complex social issues facing the city of Lethbridge, Alberta and many other communities across Canada.
The film presents unique perspectives from many individuals, including members of the homeless population, municipal government, law enforcement, service providers, doctors (including renowned addiction expert Dr. Gabor Maté), educators, health professionals, as well as members of the local business community and the general public.
Through these perspectives, and supported by multi-perspective historical information and expert lectures, the film presents a thoughtful, respectful look at history, the reality of the current situation, and hope for what can be done to make things better for everyone in the future.
To request an official screening copy of this film for educational, fundraising, or public screening purposes, please contact [e-mail]
Download the full film for free for a limited time here:
www.whereishome...
Follow the film on Social Media:
/ whereishomeca
/ whereishomefilm
Questions, Comments & Press Requests
Please contact [e-mail]
www.danberdusc...
A film by Dan Berdusco
© LethbridgeLink.com Inc.

[@AlaSerafin]

Dan Berdusco: Thank you for creating this incredibly moving, beautiful film. Every Canadian should see it. Just....thank you.

[@michellewarburton2719]

this totally broke my heart. I am glad that I do volunteer for the homeless. Hoping one day...everyone sees them and feels their pain

[@PricillaMac1]

This is one of the most informative documentaries on homelessness I have ever 'received' from in a long long time. This documentary was sensitively made... I applaud the producer/s the .. directors .. editors..and those who took part in the interviews. and those who live the life of homelessness. I thought deeply about every moment.. I felt sadness and cried more then once. not only for the indigenous men and women but also for those who just don't get it.. Ultimately we are all human.. we all have concerns.. we all deal with it in different ways.. it is obvious however that we have the have's and the have not's.. those who are able to get professional counselling.. able to get suitable health care.. the hidden hurt.. these however are real, and raw.. what you see is what you get.. God bless them and God bless you ... ..

[@Audacious_777]

It's 2023 I'm studying ABE 10 As a former ward of the agency ..I can say this issue has increased over the years .. homeless got worse all over Canada. Especially after the COVID hit. It's sad and something really needs to change instead of looking down on these people help them get back up !!!!

[@TheCaper69er]

true leaders.this is a small step that will lead to greater things.well done documentary i loved it and want to thank every one that took there time to make a difference.god bless you all

[@douglasrozak9307]

I was born and raised in Lethbridge, and its nice to see that people are out there raising awareness and trying more suitable solutions to the problems in the city towards homelessness. There is a lot of stigma and discrimination against the native population in Lethbridge and this doc. really shines a brighter light on what they have gone through. I did twelve years of my education in Lethbridge and was basically unaware of residential schools and their practices. Amazing documentary!! well done!

[@kenmitchell8367]

You where born and raised in Lethbridge and you spent 12 years studying at the U of L yet you where unaware of residential schools. Either the University did not do there job or you didn' t do yours.cisco

[@mvd4479]

this documentary was watched by all the students taking the course addiction and community health workers . thank you for educating me , specifically the Indigenous people that took their time to educate us , free emotional labor , thank you!

[@jellyboehme5598]

i also watched htis through school

[@lalaswag]

such a heartbreaking story but so touching. these people are so gentile and beautiful, i wish i could do anything i could to help.

[@pauldini5121]

Laura Marie you are whites , the only favor you can do for them is when someone say bad things about them say something , just say something

[@madeleine8977]

Beverly Hungry Wolf was so evocative.She taught me precisely what had taken place with the Indian inhabitants after Canada was colonized. She broke my heart and expanded my experience . I will not forget what I learned. She has such empathy for her people without anger or obvious resentment. I admire her.

[@vanessawilliams4432]

U can't tell me they didn't know what was going on period! Hell look at how we were treated an didn't ask to come here. Don't get me wrong, not all of them evil 😈! I've lived long enough to know how to spot an evil one in a split second. The thing that bothers me the most is the ones who try to sugarcoat what they've done but they'll never admit it!!!

[@Bettinasisrg]

I feel honored to count myself among these amazing people as someone who "gets it" can see humanity in others and be part of a solution. Many thanks to everyone who helps and even just displays compassion for their fellow human.

[@loganhermus7904]

Thank you for making this documentary! Excellent work and noble cause.

[@Yeg_777]

I live in alberta, i grew up with some indigenous people, they are great people with an amazing culture 👏 and i hope things keep on getting better

[@natashahartrick883]

There are triple the amount of Animal Shelters in Calgary than there are Homeless Shelters! They say we are equals but we are NOT! Why is the city spending $500K on public art projects instead of helping the people in more practical ways!

[@pitchingwedge1]

Conform or be cast out in Canada.

[@paulsuprono7225]

U mean human homeless shelters . . .

[@Karbfd583]

@@pitchingwedge1 RUSH classic 🎸 lyrics!

[@PHATB0Y20]

Homeless should be considered animals

[@bernadettekennedy2981]

Realtors are to blame for homelessness. They should not be able to sell homes to investors instead of homebuyers and should not be able to set rents or home values. They should have to have degrees with ethics laws.

[@EvergreenVB]

Lol more often than not the investors are the ones who built the homes in the first place and the profit margin on the actual construction is about 20%. So let's turn around and sell the bare land to whomever and have them build on it, tell me is saving 20% really worth dealing with the city, the county, architects, along with the labor only to be left with a structure with stability of a house of cards?

[@vanessawilliams4432]

Not only that, why are they charging u up the oops for these comes already cut to put together!To me they're only wood panels nailed together, then sell it at a loss most of the time if there's minority living in the area an how many! Now figure that stupid crap out but in hindsight, it's the reason this whole country is suffering, an believe me, it's going to get worse until u admit ur wrongdoing to God an repent. Ur children will suffer thru the sins of the father!!!🙏😢😭

[@paulsuprono7225]

One does not really know the true significance of this krase, unless you've experienced homeless . . . yourself ! I had . . . six years, for multiple years !

[@willhleucka821]

Powerful. Thanks for sharing.

[@jasonschwab9125]

😡😡 sad thing no one should be homeless at all or without work period!!!

[@brand3820]

But you got to want it!

[@projectfindingfreedom]

I am a struggling single mom who has been technically homeless. I was fortunate enough NOT to end up on the street. I also worked with homeless prior to covid... And I get it, I see the human in EVERYONE Even though I'm struggling and BARELY makin it by... if I see someone asking for food who's homeless ... I will put back whatever isn't necessities that I can get next time & grab a little care kit full of water, food, (feminine hygiene for girls) Praying for everyone!

[@toddbacon6738]

I love homeless people and realize that they are good people and have every emotion that everyone else has. Working people don't seem to know that they have all of the same emotions that they have. It hurts! I would like to work for an organization to help, but I guess I am not qualified. I don't care how much education you give someone, it doesn't make them care.

[@PHATB0Y20]

I hate them they should all die

[@emchammer1815]

Vod Kinockers the homeless? What’s wrong with you? Are you sane?

[@DekkerDavis]

Amen

[@colorsofavon934]

Amazing

[@CanoeToNewOrleans]

What the police chief and the inclusion consultant said toward the end of the documentary is so true - we don't have difficult conversations in Canada and we're still an us vs. them society.

[@RS-cn7js]

Watched this for class...and want to thank you for sharing. I think more people should see this, it is very insightful and will help in understanding.

[@MichaelOBrien71]

Very good documentary 👍

[@daymeinvanblocken3407]

This is is a very great subject. But , a lot of people, shy away from it.

[@VanessaDerry]

So eye opening.

[@annetteslife]

I live in Lethbridge. Rest in peace Ernestine Healy who passed away in 2018. Corrine who was briefly videotaped was murdered in 2017

[@codystruck]

I remember Ernestine when I lived at the Lethbridge Hotel. RIP

[@annetteslife]

@@codystruck She passed away about 5 years ago I think. Do you still live in Lethbridge?

[@codystruck]

@@annetteslife that’s sad to hear. Yes just moved back

[@annetteslife]

@@codystruck I don't live very far from the Lethbridge Hotel. I live about a 10 minute walk from the downtown area.

[@destinybarreira2073]

And Gillian Wolfplume 😭

[@stevenrowlandson4258]

I am a white car dweller in Barrie, ON. There is no affordable real estate north of the south pole because real estate is no longer a place to live it has become an investment with an unlimited price potential backed up by residency requirements , debt contracts and malicious greed for tax free profits at any cost to any of the races of mankind. It is genocide under the guise of business deal. I spent from 1982 to 2009 building stairs and time afterwords doing part time work at market wage rates. I paid my bills and rent saved the best I could. The cost of a home rocketed up faster than I could save and when I did invest market insiders destroyed the value of my holdings with their damned short selling. Damn them all . Damn all real estate investors, profiteers and sales people. They made life impossible for me and my race. Damn all politically correct social and legal engineers they made normal family life impossible and illegal. Some body had to tell the truth and I did it. I damn all who blame me for the actions of others and would condemn me for meting out justice in any way. Damn all anti white racists, miscegenists , LGBTQPB types and Semites. Damn all government and law that promotes and protects those criminals and perverts. Damn them all to a devils hell. Some body had to tell the truth and I did it. Do I have addictions and mental health issues? No! My big problem is that I know right from wrong, I can think and I am a man and a judge. That makes me public enemy number one because Canada is guilty of my genocide and that of my race. The real estate price inflation, legal reforms, social engineering the legal straight jacket that obstructs justice is genocide against me and my race. To the natives , you do not have a monopoly on being holocausted or being homeless. It can happen to anyone.

[@EvergreenVB]

Lol your just a bitter little boy aren't you.

[@carriebizz]

Very sad. I'm by all means not wealthy but i know im blessed to have a safe house that we rent. I'm Australian and we have homeless people across the country too. I think every country does and it pisses me off that people who have alot of money waste it on materialistic things rather than give it to a charity or open and fully fund shelters. I know i would if i didn't live week to week. Regarding the native people we had the same happen to the Aborigines

[@regeenacooper1221]

no one should ever have to just serve to live in life and no matter how much money the government gives will never change or take back what was done to them. It just sickens me how the government treated them and still to this day they are still not treated fairly.

[@carayaportus80]

Native America from North , Central and Sud , fighting for keep the culture and land ,

[@johnallen2771]

I pull shifts at the local homeless shelter 3 times a week and believe me, nobody goes without. We give them free socks, meals, snacks and all kinds of personal hygiene products including a cot and blankets for up to four months at a time. We close during the summer because it gets so hot here. I can't understand all the homeless that won't come to the shelter. They prefer sleeping under the bridge, etc. When it get really cold that's when they come into the shelter and they resent even that. Must want to drink or do drugs all night. I'll keep doing it because it is serving a need and we also try to get people rehoused asap. We also have a deal with the cops to bring people to the shelter instead of jail. Our director doesn't put up with any shit though and people can't be bothering other residents and things like that.

[@natashahartrick883]

Most are not alcoholics or stoners! 90% have jobs but can not afford housing.

[@axel-xy2hb]

Someone asked the question; " what makes you cringe when you see a drunk aboriginal on the street?" For me, I cringe because it always reminds me of the failures of white society, past and present. Sometimes I feel ashamed of being a white, European descendant due to the systematic way that indigenous people were stripped of: their land, (at first), their rights, the treaties that were accepted by them on good faith, stripped of their culture and dignity in residential schools. To realize that these people survived at all is worthy of acknowledgment. My own experience with the Catholic religion, and system was bad enough. I suffered sexual abuse at the hands of a catholic priest, so I do understand the inability to trust, and the hopelessness and feeling diminished as a human being. I also cringe when I hear my peers refer to Native Americans in demeaning ways. I for one do not tolerate ignorance and usually suggest that these peers of mine get educated on the REAL FACTS. I got quite a lot from the video and it is my hope that you keep up the fight to help these people because they really deserve a lot of understanding and empathy. This is not 'their" problem; it is and always will be OUR problem because we, as white N. Americans, created it in the first place. Thanks for sharing this video with me and best wishes for everyone involved in making and being in it. Alex C.

[@madeleine8977]

As do I. Well said Axel

[@madeleine8977]

Yes, I did direct my comment to you, Axel. I am Catholic but do not agree with many of it's actions. Trying to convert anyone by any church is simply self-serving. More converts, more people, more money= more influence. I am embarrassed for the actions of the Catholic church in particular because I was reared as a Catholic. but I deplore such policies as residential schools. Such an injustice to native peoples.

[@L135boot]

Axel. What makes me cringe when I see a drunk native on the street sleeping on the sidewalk or alley is; Is he alive? Is he just sleeping? Or as we call is, passed out. I live and work here in Lethbridge and also from the Blood Tribe. I always come across them downtown and in front of the liquor stores. I tell them in Blackfoot, "miistapoot" (Mee-stah-boot) It means "go away" when they ask me for change, a cigarette or anything to drink. You shouldn't be ashamed of being non-native. I have always worked in Lethbridge because there is a lot more resources like transportation, employment, access to grocery stores, and way to manage an income. Wal-Mart is the new buffalo. I could get all my needs like food and clothing there.

[@p.e.i.man-canada-1372]

Why the fuck would I feel shame for being white? That is like saying I should be ashamed of being a man for hearing about females getting smacked about by men. I didn't fucking do it and I certainly won't take responsibility for doing it.

[@ZoeF.O]

P.E.I. Man -Canada- Nobody asked you to feel ashamed. The feeling is not mandatory. You can feel it, or you just can't. Nobody even asked you how you feel, so this *rude* first sentence of yours is completely unnecessary.

[@axel-xy2hb]

Ignoring Homelessness won't make it go away any more than ignorance will solve the problem of racism and prejudice toward aboriginal people in our Canadian society. I think it is imperative that anyone who weighs in on the topic of aboriginal injustice MUST have some insight into what it actually feels like to be a first-nation person in our broader society. As I'm sure that many have said that yes, there are ways to improve things for the "indians" but one must first have some sense of what it feels like to be looked down on for generations and generations. The only "real" relationship between white Europeans and Natives was the friendship between the Migmaw Nation and the Acadians. They enjoyed mutual respect and friendship only because they saw themselves as equals in every sense of the word. That lasted only so long because after the British were stomped in the U.S. colonies, they focused their attention on what they could accomplish in Upper Canada. One such option was giving out H.B.O. blankets that were infected with small pox to the unsuspecting local natives. The difference between the English and the French were that the French were traders first and foremost and saw their trading partners( Indians) as shrewd businessmen and the owners of this country. They were simply visitors doing mutually satisfying trade. The British, on the other hand, saw the natives like they saw everyone else they had the opportunity to conquer: backwards, ignorant, bloodthirsty savages that no "gentleman" British-man would ever have the desire to meet on mutual terms. How could one of impeccable upbringing ever even think of parlaying with the equivalent of mere "dogs"? And every time the Brits had the chance, they showed their contempt by lying about treaties. Taking back that which they first gave the Natives: Like their treaty right to the Black Hills in Dakota (I could be wrong here geographically, because Dakota didn't become a state until after the U.S. treasury found gold in them thar hills. And after all that, full out- total war on the indians who were simply fighting to keep what was given to them in the first place. If a person can go back through all that history and still think the Natives of this continent had reason to hold their heads up and face daily life with hope and dreams for the future like the rest of us, than my hat goes off to you but I truly think in the whole scheme of things, that the Natives didn't have a fighting chance at all and any hope of "normalcy" or legitimacy:" goes right out the frikkin window, never mind what they do with their welfare cheques of payouts. Take away a man's dignity, pride, inclusion, hopes for his family or even his race and you get the kind of cynicism and problems that are plaguing our people, white and red, reconciliation and forgiveness are not just something you put down on paper. It means we all have to look inward-good or bad or a little of both and admit when we made mistakes and truly want healing in this fucking mess, cause we did it to ourselves, no one else.

[@coltonensign7650]

that's in my home town

[@pauldini5121]

dankest soup your home town it's full of evils

[@ksize3147]

"Cripple them and then talk about them because they limp". ........horrendous!

[@carayaportus80]

Make sad , because the still human , nobody deserves this life

[@johnnyatoms3620]

Where eye-dollar-tree is of worth, everything is going to cost! Where one another is of worth, there is no cost...It's priceless! Babylon is passing away..... - the homeless in Babylon. HE'S US! In the mirror.

[@regeenacooper1221]

but that's because the business refuses to let the homeless use the bathrooms because of the stario type which needs to be dealt with

[@johnnyluvlee4090]

WALLY of housing first is such a liar!!! There are only three non-Indigenous people in this documantary who gives a proper accounting of the reality or show GENUINE compassion.... Dr. Massey, Dr. Mate and Deanna Vincent, formerly of housing first.

[@michaeleric6170]

Can someone please explain to me what "Aboriginal" and "nonaboriginal" means???

[@gurkaransahota9785]

Michael Eric aboriginal = natives non-aboriginal = non native

[@pauldini5121]

He knows he just hate the word aboriginal

[@eliciagarcia3601]

Aboriginal means the first (original) people of the land. So the first people historically who lived in Canada didn't have this kind of civilized sort of society that we do now. They lived by walking around and building tents and picking berries and hunting buffalo for food. Then Europeans came and forcefully took over the land and said "fine, you can keep living your own life but only on these certain reserves that we'll but you in and the rest of the land is ours". Aboriginal kids ended up being heavily abused in the residential schools (beaten and raped) which lead to a generational problem among the segregated aboriginal communities where many of them have mental health and addiction problems and it passes down through the generations. Then a lot of us white people perceive them as just these "drunk natives" on the streets..... At least this is pretty much all I know about it from what I've heard and if I'm wrong on something or lacking information I'm fine with being educated. And I believe for some reason the term "aboriginal" is offensive to some people and they'd rather be called first nation or native for some reason. Probably something historical that happened that negatively connotates the term "aboriginal" I'd assume. But it's just their ethnicity and they were the first people of the land. Of course not every native is entangled in this problem or is a "drunk native". The demeaning sort of bad stereo-type of "drunk natives who drink Listerine" is sadly a thing because due to the cultural history, many natives do struggle with mental illness and addiction and Listerine is a cheap way to get drunk (when you're low income or homeless which are struggles for some of these people).

[@eliciagarcia3601]

So aboriginal means your ancestors were the first people of the land (native ethnicity) and non-aboriginal means your ancestors are another ethnicity. (So if you're white and don't live on a reserve you're probably non-aboriginal). I'm not very educated so some people may want to correct be or further educate me but if you sincerely had no idea what "aboriginal" and "non-aboriginal" meant and needed someone to explain simply to you from scratch then maybe this helps you start to get an idea and then you can do your own research to learn more.

[@usedoil9699]

It was the same for white children in public school the teachers beat the children with yard sticks pointers and straps as a form of discipline until it was finally banned in public schools Every school even documented the discipline in a little book in the office. I was made a ward of the Alberta Government and experienced the same abuse as the natives so I can relate first hand. I one day would wish for even an apology from the Alberta Government for the abuse I received when I was a ward of the Alberta Government in the early seventies. I too was homeless when I turned 16 years old and they no longer had control of me and lived on the streets with the sexual abuse from white homosexuals and struggled with drug and alcohol abuse to forget. However because I am white I will never get one.

[@LadyBug-wr1gu]

So many references to "these people" by the white man......ugh !

[@quixtlies653]

stan deana vincent

[@megancollins2568]

What about other people out there that has been sexuale abused when will they get their settlement you don't have to go to a school to be abused

[@L135boot]

Good Documentary. If I may voice my opinion about this without any prejudice. The Natives in this city do drink, do drugs, and beg for money. Also, commit crime such as robbery, assault, theft, etc. This is counter productive for the police and the legal system as well as case workers who make money off of to make their lives better. What I have in mind is to take these Natives who live on the street who don't have jobs or any thought of the future, to be brought back to the Reserve so they can be put in a source of rehabilitation in order to rediscover their identity. Some of them have it easy by getting AISH or SFI, but that just gives tem a path to drinking and drug use and trash a home that was given to them when there's a citizen out there who will put that welfare system to full use and get back on their own 2 feet. Now there are First Nations people in Lethbridge who come from the Reserve to work and go to school and do both so they can support themselves who I have the most deepest respect for. They have their reasons for leaving the Reserve because there are limited resources on the Reserve that do not fulfill their needs. And I'll be honest; it's all about nepotism on the rez. You have to be closely related to the manager or the boss of that department even if you're not qualified for that job. I am a citizen with a job to fulfill my needs and a member of the Blood Tribe, and change has to happen. I have spoken.

[@Ali_Babba_Ganoush]

Cabin Boy ..You do know Lethbridge is on Native land, right ? They can go anywhere they want in Canada as they please.

[@L135boot]

Yeah I know Lethbridge is on Native land. If "they" go anywhere in Canada, would that change their lives? I don't think so. But maybe in a different treatment system. The Blood Reserve has to take care of themselves by learning about the cultural ways in order to survive and pass on the knowledge. The knowledge about the Bloods is more sacred and more valueable than white man's money. I see the street natives everyday and it doesn't make sense why they hang around on traditional native land in front of the liquor store and stand there waiting for their glory of liquor. If they can stand there all day, they can go and apply for jobs in Lethbridge or where ever they want to go; because they are not crippled. First Nations people can go anywhere in Canada if they are working and go to school. I know everything you are trying to say Jumanji.

[@axel-xy2hb]

I think most people don't ask the obvious question: why would so many in the same ethnicity need to escape reality so badly??

[@madeleine8977]

You seem to have an answer, but I don;t think it is viable or progressive. Just segregationist.

[@axel-xy2hb]

Madeleine, I'm not sure if your response is directed at me, but if it is let me say that I wasn't trying to come up with an answer good or bad. It just breaks my heart when I see a people who were not lacking in anything being victimized only because they were behind us a couple centuries technologically speaking. I think the question about needing to escape reality is one that we can't blame anyone else for. I'm not a preacher or even see myself as a do gooder but I believe that it's obvious that you destroy people when u take virtually everything away from them; things like dignity, hope and self respect. Make no mistake, we white europeans took this from the first people, folks who welcomed us, helped us when we needed it, and shared (or tried to) their spirituality and medicine. What did we share with them??

[@dapper_gent]

Goddamn it. There better be a shit ton of more openly gay homeless canadians than that!

[@Kevin_geekgineering]

get out of your home, world is bigger than you can imagine

[@kensmith280]

Alberta is a failure ,failed healthcare no doctors , WCB is a money scam , way too many femtard witches, a totally Demonized feminist fuckery court system and everyone is poisoned by government fluoride dumb down was a complete success, you should avoid Satan's Canada at all costs, Do not come here and ruin your life, you will not be warned again!, Canada went to hell burning,

[@jamiejamezmiikaiistoo9204]

lethbridge has the most racist cops and the cop doing this interview is putting on a show for the camera makes me sick......

[@Ali_Babba_Ganoush]

jamiejamez miikaiistoo ..They are not racist, just burned out and exhausted. Being a Police officer in lethbridge is 20x harder than being a Police officer in Toronto or Montreal.

[@cclibre3832]

So sad and no excuse for abuse .... walk in their shoes ! What if it was your child !

[@lalaswag]

being a fed in tdot and montreal would be fucking hard too

[@pauldini5121]

That's true they are the most racist cops in canada

[@kenmitchell8367]

Of coarse they are racist.If the city is racist then the police enforce racism.I to grew up in southern Alberta. I moved to Lethbridge to go to university. Lived there near downtown for 26 years. It was very racist then and it still is now. Three city police officers In this film on there best behavior but if a cop rolls up on a fight between an indigenous person and a european person who do you think they will believe and who goes to jail Lethbridge is not even close to the crime in the city of Toronto.Pull your head out of the sand and take another look.If the cops are worn out the maybe the should sell shoes.cisco

[@MichaelOBrien71]

The guy crying racism is typical