On the United Nations World Day against Trafficking in Persons, the Edmonton International Airport (YEG) officially opened its “Safe Room Kîsê Watotâtôwin ᑮᓭ ᐘᑐᑖᑑᐏᐣ,” a dedicated haven for survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence, and other crises.
The Safe Room, whose Indigenous name translates to “sharing and giving our kindness and compassion to each other,” provides a secure and comforting space with amenities like a bed, kitchen, and access to essential resources and community support. It marks a significant step in YEG’s ongoing commitment to combating human trafficking, building on initiatives such as:
- Awareness Training: YEG, in partnership with #NotInMyCity, has been providing human trafficking awareness training to its staff and partners, equipping front-line employees to identify and report suspected cases.
- Translated Resources: Since 2023, YEG has led the way as the first Canadian airport to offer translated information about human trafficking to newcomers, in collaboration with the Action Coalition on Human Trafficking Alberta (ACT Alberta). QR codes in multiple languages are strategically placed throughout the airport.
CFWE spoke with Paul Brandt, CEO & Founder of Not My City, and he speaks up on the current state of human trafficking in Canada and the relation with Indigenous peoples with the safe room.
Here Brandt talks about how Not My City was created and why it needed to happen.
Brandt talks about how the saferoom collaboration with the airport and why it’s important.
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