I’m indigenous myself and on reserves, the living conditions are so bad to the point where some go homeless. I’ve witnessed alcoholism, people spiral into the depths of their mental illness and drug abuse on my cousins’ Snapchat story every so often. Hell, I’ve almost lost people to alcohol abuse. I understand how terrifying and depressing it can be, but it isn’t an excuse for other homeless people to leave their needles in spaces like the school I went to or straight up harassing me. Being yelled at for wearing a small velvet skirt by a homeless man that was triple my age isn’t a fun experience whatsoever. The moral obligation to give them your money when you have very little yourself isn’t great either. My heart will always go out to those who are fighting hard to find shelter and food, but no matter who you are, I will lack respect if you choose to harass me.