An emergency shelter in Standoff has been closed.
The Blood Tribe Department of Health has announced that the White Calf Shelter is closed as of June 16, 2025.
Officials say the decision was made with considerable thought.
Factors listed for the closure included the Blood Tribe Administration’s request to convert the facility back to its original purpose as a community events hall, along with ongoing financial challenges related to maintaining shelter operations.
The site was initially conceived as a gathering space for community events, but was transitioned into an emergency shelter in December 2022, with the Blood Tribe Department of Health taking over operations of the site.
“As we move forward, we remain committed to advocating for sustainable, long-term solutions that ensure our most vulnerable community members have continued access to emergency shelter services and supports on-reserve,” reads a statement by the CEO of the Blood Tribe Department of Health, Derrick Fox.
“In the immediate term, we are actively working to help connect former shelter guests with the appropriate housing supports and services offered by Blood Tribe Administration.”
Fox says the department thanks all the staff who provided services at the shelter.
“Your commitment to supporting community members in need has made a lasting impact and will not be forgotten,” he states.
Fox adds that although the shelter is closing, the department’s focus of providing “comprehensive health and wellness programming and services in the community” remains the same.
