Who We Are

Founded in 2004, Projets Autochtones du Québec (PAQ) provides culturally safe housing and support services for urban Indigenous peoples experiencing homelessness in Montreal.

More than 20 years of History

Our History

Projets Autochtones du Quebec (PAQ) was created in March 2004 through the joint efforts of the Native Friendship Center of Montreal employees, University of Montréal researchers, the Downtown YMCA, and urban Indigenous community members in Montreal. PAQ’s initial purpose was to offer a social reinsertion program for First Nation, Inuit, and Metis peoples experiencing homelessness in Montreal and to collect and produce scientific documentation on homeless Indigenous peoples.

The City of Montreal provided rented space to PAQ, located at 90 rue de la Gauchetière Street East, and became the first overnight emergency shelter to serve Montreal’s homeless urban Indigenous peoples. Initially, PAQ operated with limited financial support and a small staff. Over time, more structured programming was introduced, and the number of staff grew.

In 2014, with support from all levels of government, PAQ acquired land for a new building to improve safety, offer a more agreeable environment, and allow PAQ to expand activities. In May 2016, PAQ moved into its current location at 169 rue de la Gauchetière East. This new building offered emergency shelter with separate dormitories for women and men and a transitional housing facility comprised of 16 studio apartments.

In April 2020 in response to decreased capacity at the main shelter during the pandemic, PAQ opened PAQ2, a low-barrier emergency shelter for Indigenous peoples, in la Petite-Bourgogne. In August 2020, PAQ2 moved to the Complexe Guy-Favreau, and in January 2022, PAQ2 relocated to its current location on St. Dominque Street at the Hotel des Arts. With the move to St Dominique street.

In November 2023, PAQ made the shift to 24/7 services and, by necessity, changed its service approach. For the new ED, it appears that a person experiencing homelessness needs constant support. It is becoming clear that homelessness is no longer a situation that can be addressed only in the evening with a bed and a meal.

Since then, Programs and services were expanded to include access to a case worker, on all sites, aLife Skills program and the Safe Start programs to provide better accompaniment of community members. The pandemic shone a spotlight on many unmet needs experienced by the urban Indigenous community.

In February 2023, PAQ opened La Maison Akhwà:tsire, an innovative permanent housing program offering 24-7 wrap-around services for people facing multiple obstacles to succeeding in housing. PAQ’s MAP program, who originally started in Dec 2020 has also moved into this new facility.

Finally, more recently, in July 2024, PAQ opened la Maison Annagiarvik located in the Milton/Parc area.

It provides 14 private bedrooms and it’s designed for residents who have completed rehab and are actively working on sobriety.

Our Approach

PAQ uses a trauma-informed practice (TIP) to address substance-use issues experienced by Indigenous Community members. TIP acknowledges the prevalence of physiological trauma among Indigenous peoples, and influences our policies, planning and service delivery. PAQ employes various TIP methods, such as, tailored training for front-line intervention staff, culturally adapted living spaces, clinical support through a partnership with the CHUM, safe consumption spaces, and psychological support involving Elders and Knowledge keepers, Indigenous counseling and Sharing Circles.

PAQ integrates a restorative justice lens into its Trauma-Informed Practice approach. This lens aims to repair the harm cased by behavioral harmful to individuals or PAQ community members. It involves addressing victim’s needs and promoting accountability and forgiveness. This approach is less punitive and more focused on restoring relationships and actions, engaging PAQ’s community while respecting Indigenous values and traditions.

Our Advocacy

PAQ works in partnership with other local and national actors to advocate for the health and housing rights of urban Indigenous Peoples. PAQ has been a strong voice on issues such as 24/7 services for people experiencing homelessness, access to culturally safe health services, and the promotion of accompanied housing to meet the needs of urban Indigenous peoples.

PAQ is an active member of:

MIHAC: Montréal Indigenous Health Advisory Circle
NETWORK: Montréal Indigenous Community Network
MMFIM : Mouvement pour mettre fin à l’itinérance à Montréal
RAPSIM: Le Réseau d’aide aux personnes seules et itinérantes de Montréal

PAQ also participates actively on:

Comité de coordination du plan d’action en itinérance de la région de Montréal
La table locale d’accessibilité aux services de santé et services sociaux en milieu urbain pour les Autochtones à Montréal
Tables de concertation, for example, La Table de concertation du Faubourg St Laurent