Winnipeg mayor appoints senior adviser on homelessness

Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham has appointed a senior adviser on homelessness who will provide assistance with issues related to the street population, addiction and mental health.

Jarred Baker, a member of Sandy Bay First Nation,will start his new job in June 5 after spending more than a decade working in social services, with a focus on the Indigenous community, anews release said Friday.

"I'm really excited but I'm also cautious. I know it's going to take a long time to end homelessness, it's not like an overnight thing,"Baker told CBC News in a Friday interview.

Most recently, Baker worked as the executive director ofOnashowewin, a culturally based restorative justice organization that works with peoplein conflict with the law.

Before that, Baker worked for the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, Eagle Urban Transition Centre,Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre of Winnipeg and Ka Ni Kanichihk.

He has also served on the boards of End Homelessness Winnipeg and the Native Clan Organization, and on the advisory council for the Downtown Community Safety Partnership.

"With those relationships that I've builtand previous employment, Ithink it's going to give me a good vision of what some of the challenges are," Baker said.

"I've always been on the delivery side [of social services] We were always wishing for someone on the policy side.Now I'm that guy."

Gillingham said he thinks it's important to have a dedicated person to advise him and act as a liaison between the mayor's office and organizations on the front lines.

He believes Baker's experience and collaborative nature will serve him well in the role.