New youth centre opens in border city

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Kids just wanna hang out. They want familiar territory where they feel comfortable. A cool place where they have a sense of belonging and a sense of ownership.

With the recent opening of a new youth centre, just around the corner from the Native Friendship Centre, Aboriginal kids in Lloydminster finally have a place to call their own, a home-away-from-home where they can feel welcome and safe. The centre was developed by the Lloydminster Native Friendship Centre (LNFC) youth council that devised ground rules and included a respect for cultural sensitivity that works in favor of young Native people, not against them.

"And it's a good thing," said 21-year-old youth council president, Raelene Carter. "When I was an Aboriginal girl growing up in this community and on my home reserve, I needed a place like this. A place to go, learn more about myself and my culture. Back then, there wasn't anything. Now, after six months of planning, fund-raising and over 500 hours of volunteer work, we have finally opened the doors."

Major funding came from the National Association of Friendship Centres, provided for the development of multi-purpose Aboriginal youth centres across the country.

The LNFC proposal for Phase II funding (leasing and renovating of an existing building, with start-up money to pay staff) and the election of a working youth board, got the ball rolling. Finding the perfect downtown venue and landing the grant made the dream a possibility.

"But is was strong community backing that breathed life into the new centre, not only standing behind us but also opening its eyes and saying, 'Yeah, this is something we really need,'" explained Carter.

Many of those volunteers attended a traditional feast held the day before the grand opening, a ceremony led by cultural advisor Noah Cardinal, which honored youth, Elders and veterans.

"We felt that we needed to secure the building in the sense that it was blessed, so that everything that goes on would have a positive outlook and the building would be safe. An open heart/open mind kind of place blessed by sage and sweetgrass, and the memories of those we have lost."

The grand opening gave local kids, their families and visitors a chance to see the newly renovated facilities, which included a large recreation area on the lower level and a learning resource meeting area on the upper level, complete with computers, a library and confectionery.

"The kitchen/confectionery is here to provide snacks and a facility for communal family suppers. If we have kids coming in hungry, without pocket money for snacks, we will provide an after-school snack. But they won't be getting it for free. To give that child a sense of ownership, we will give them a task, let them take part in fund-raising so they realize it's not charity, that they are working for what they get. We will also be having evenings for families to come in and cook together in a collective kitchen, for kids that don't have that at home. A chance to work, cook, eat and clean up together.

The youth council has seats for Native, Metis and non-Native youth, ages 10 to 25, as well as adult advisors Lawrence Meetos and Dorothy Dumont.

Cultural, recreational and social programs will be run during after-school and weekend hours by Eli Jo Carter and Rhonda Smith, and include a homework club and one-on-one counselling.

Programming will include guest speakers, cultural immersion, young parenting support and young adult learning skills, with some hard-core issues like date rape and sexual assault being addressed in November and December.

Facilities include a pool table, universal gym, TV and VCR, a library and two comfortable lounge areas to hang out in.

Carter, who has done a lot of traveling around to workshops and other communities, says that one of her most important jobs as president of the youth council is to network with the local reserves and the Lloydminster community to let them know what is available for the youth of the region The centre will serve the kids who just want a good place to hang out, young offenders, teen moms and youth at risk who need help, support and someone to lean on.

"It really is a win/win situation. By youth, for youth, with lots of strong adult backing. The big thing for the new millennium is that our future leaders are in our hands today. Yesterday was yesterday and there's nothing we can do to change it. It's OK to look to the future and wonder what will happen, but what I keep telling myself that today is the most important day of my life, today is the day I can make a difference," added Carter.