Tahti Nipin Piyasis Nahkotah, Dorothy Goodeye, is an advocate and ally to people on the streets — part of her lifelong journey of helping others
Content warning: This article contains details about mistreatment in the child “welfare” system and abuse at the hands of the Catholic church. Please take care of your spirit and read with care.
A powerful advocate In the Okanagan, Goodeye has helped to find homes for hundreds of people through her advocacy work, which is rooted in a deep understanding of the barriers houseless people face. “There are so many complex needs. There are so many organizations that allow people to fall through the cracks by not giving them the proper information.”
As a key partner of the Journey Home Society, Goodeye said that the LECoH group does not “tower over” people experiencing homelessness — instead the cohort of community members aims to sit down beside them with gentleness and respect.Separated from family Goodeye grew up in northern “Alberta” in the early 1950s, however she and her siblings were taken away from their parents during the early years of the Sixties Scoop.
“My folks were resilient. They were amazing. They provided really well for us kids,” she said. “The orphanage did so much damage to me — my father was horrified when I told him all that they did to me.”