Sobering Hope: Former Addict Creates Care Packages

Rachel Montour, a Kanien'kehá:ka, Wolf Clan woman, is bringing hope to Brantford's homeless community this holiday season. Three years into her sobriety after struggling with addiction for two decades, Montour is assembling and delivering care packages filled with essential items.

These thoughtful packages include hot meals, warm winter attire, gift cards, and personal comfort items like journals and clean socks. Montour also includes marijuana pre-rolls and cigarettes, items that aided her own recovery by helping with appetite and sleep. Her initiative, supported by her community in Six Nations, aims to provide a moment of humanity and connection for those on the streets.

Montour's personal journey has been marked by significant hardship, including addiction, human trafficking, and periods of homelessness. She emphasizes that having basic needs met was crucial for her healing. Her efforts underscore the profound challenges faced by Indigenous individuals, who are disproportionately affected by the drug crisis and human trafficking in Canada, aiming to foster a brighter holiday for recipients.