ANFCA looks at ways to increase funding, raise awareness

Raising funds for Native programs continues to be a difficult task, but necessary to improve the lives of Alberta’s Aboriginal community, said Nelson Mayer, executive director of the Alberta Native Friendship Centres Association and vice president of the National Association of Friendship Centres.

To help raise funds for programming, the ANFCA marked its 40th anniversary with its first walkathon June 1, which included all 20 friendship centres in the province.

The “Walk For Friendship” walkathon is part of the long-term fundraising strategy to raise cash for a variety of youth recreation programs and Elder gatherings for the Native community.

“Our walk will raise awareness of the services our friendship centres provide and improve Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal relations with the community,” said  Sheralle Graystone, executive director for Red Deer Native Friendship Centre, in a news release issued by the ANCFA.

“It is a very fitting and exciting way to mark the celebration of the ANFCA’s 40th anniversary,” said Judith Down, executive director of the Canadian Native Friendship Centre in Edmonton.

Project proposals approved for funding through the Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth come from Lethbridge, Pincher Creek, Red Deer, Rocky Mountain House, Bonnyville, Lac La Biche, Athabasca, Edson, Hinton, Slave Lake, High Prairie, Grande Prairie, Peace River, and High Level and total $1,237,000.

Mayer said the ANFCA is continuing with New Dawn Rising, a research project for the development of addictions prevention culturally-relevant programming.

 ANFCA will be seeking funding to continue its diabetes initiative.

ANFCA is planning to increase the promotion and awareness of its organization and member centres in Alberta.

The ANFCA has developed a strategy by which it hopes that the level of funding to centres may be increased, said Mayer.

ANFCA is partnering with the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association, the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights, Alberta Centre for Active Living, and the In Motion Network. It is also in discussions with the Métis Nation of Alberta and the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women about working together in areas of common interest. Approaching Treaty organizations is also on the agenda.