New year rings in new programs

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The New Year is just beginning and Aboriginal businesses and organizations in the city are gearing up with a full calendar of activities. The Native Seniors Centre located on 10107-134 Ave. is a drop-in centre that is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

With soup and bannock every Wednesday, a presentation following the soup and bannock, a Cree mass the first Friday of the month, field trips and a foot care clinic on Thursdays, the centre is quite busy.

"As often as we can, we put on a presentation after the soup and bannock, something that pertains to the seniors? issues. Sometimes it is entertainment. We might get cultural dancers, a fiddle player or a storyteller," said Lynda Cardinal, volunteer co-ordinator. "This year we are looking at new field trips and we are looking for a craft instructor to come into the centre."

A pool table, a small library, a large recreation area and a housing registry for seniors who are looking for affordable housing make up the centre.

The Canadian Native Friendship Centre located on 11205-101 St. has most events for the months of January and February scheduled. Four new programs have been added to this year?s calendar. The Men's Healing Circle, facilitated by Elder Walter Bonaise, is a program that emphasizes cultural teachings. Brazilian jujitsu, a South American self-defence course; Victims of Homicide, a program for people who have lost loved ones through murder; and Compassionate Friends, a program for parents grieving the loss of children through death are the other new ones.

"We are looking forward this year to trying to meet some new challenges as in new programs to better meet the community's needs," said executive director Melanie Omeniho. "I think that there will be a positive response to most of these new programs. They've been requested by the community. We are responding to what the community has asked for."

The Aboriginal Counselling and Employment Services 2000 which was formally known as the Aboriginal Centre for Employment Strategies, has not only made a name change, but has moved to a new location. The centre offers materials on resume writing, cover letters and interviewing skills. It provides daily updated job boards, a resource library, counselling for funding, eight computers with internet and daily newspapers for job search purposes. The centre uses four employability dimensions: Employment Maintenance, Career Decision Making, Skill Enhancement and Job Search, to help Aboriginal people attain self sufficiency through culturally sensitive employment services.

"I guess the number one thing that we are trying to do in the centre this year is to incorporate the medicine wheel's approach to employment issues that the clients may have. More of a holistic approach," said Dave Ward, executive director. "We've utilized the four dimensions to go along with the medicine wheel in an effort to bring out anything that would hinder the clients from maintaining employment."

The centre is located at 12308 111 Ave. (3rd floor) and is open to the public Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.