Busy time for young and old

Page 5

Tansi!

Now that school has resumed, so too have friendship centre programs for the fall. Some centres are undergoing renovations such as the one at Lac La Biche, while others are still experiencing staff changes.

For example, the Rocky Mountain House Friendship Centre has just hired Berv Martin as its new executive director. And, word has it that the Napi Centre at Pincher Creek is in the planning stages for an alternative school that could accommodate teenagers from 14 to 19 years of age.

Youth centre activity

Shirley Badger, program director at the Lac La Biche Native Friendship Centre, is happy to report that since opening their youth centre on June 21, there have been a lot of youth making use of the facility. "We have up to 30 kids a day," said Badger.

The facility includes a pool table and karaoke machine, and the staff conducts workshops and campouts.

Thanks to an infusion of $60,000 through the Urban Multi-Purpose Aboriginal Youth Centres program, the centre has successfully pulled a number of kids into its programs and even the mayor has noticed the difference. Badger boasts that now there are fewer children on the streets. One thing that helps their program, she adds, is the use of Portage College's swimming pool and gymnasium.

New initiative

The Grande Prairie friendship centre is partnering with Grande Prairie College and will have additional office space in the college as of Sept. 15.

The centre's extension into the college will be a place where Aboriginal students can mingle, and plan and host events. This new partnership, to my knowledge, is a first for any of the centres in the province and perhaps in Canada.

In addition, the centre plays host to the annual general meeting of the Alberta Friendship Centres Association from Sept. 15 to17.

Fall program launch

More centrally located, the Slave Lake Friendship Centre is scheduled to launch its fall programming as of Sept. 22. The day's activities will include soup and bannock, entertainment, an evening dance, program displays, and sign-ups for Cree language instruction, racquetball, youth night, low impact aerobics, and more.

And they are hosting a princess pageant and talent show on Sat., Oct. 14 as well as a Seniors and Elders Old Tyme Dinner and Dance on Friday, Nov. 3.

Families remember

Members of the Big Plume families from Tsuu T'ina First Nation and the Buffalo families at Hobbema joined forces during the September long weekend to sponsor a memorial ball tournament in memory of the late Jordie Buffalo who was accidentally killed at age 17 in a vehicle accident last summer in Hobbema.

The Buffalo family won the ball tournament and everyone was especially pleased with the good fun and family reunion that took place.

School name wanted

Looking to make a long-term contribution? Why not send in your suggestion for a name for the Plains Indian Cultural Survival School program in Calgary. Staff member Loretta Pete is asking for ideas. She says they would maybe like to name it after someone who has already passed on from this life but was a significant figure in the Aboriginal world. This is not a contest.

Last year, PICSS had about 150 students. Nine of those were Grade 12 graduates this year. The school was fortunate enough to receive some extra funding from Canadian Heritage that will go towards enhancing its cultural programming this term. This will include off-campus outings that can contribute to the personal, social and cultural development of students. The school also has Rev. Wolfleg coming in this fall to perform a cleansing ceremony at the school.