CNFC announces 25th anniversary plans

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Back in their hey-days of the late 1950s and early 1960 when the first batch of Native friendship centres came into existence, a variety of programs, services and organizations took root. The centres, became, if you will, the catalyst for such movements and in 1987, the Canadian Native Friendship Centre (CNFC) in Edmonton celebrates its silver (25th) anniversary.

A planning committee has been struck with John Fletcher as the chairman and former Edmonton Eskimo kicker, Dave Cutler, along with Willie Littlechild, filling the roles of honorary co-chairman.

The centre plans to honor those who have contributed to the operations of the society and to also sponsor a number of special evenings. Fletcher stated that a February

7 anniversary banquet at the Montgomery Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion will kick off the events for 1987.

Speaking to a December 11 press conference, the gala year of the centre was outlined by individuals connected with the centre who elaborated on their proposed activities for the ensuing year.

Muriel Stanley Venne, the vice-president of the CNFC, acknowledged the founding members of the centre who "were few and very dedicated people." In setting some of the historical background of the centre, Venne informed the audience that the concept of the CNFC was founded on the perceived need of helping Native people faced with the difficulties of coping with life in the city.

"I hope that today marks the beginning of a new era in the relationship of Native people to the greater society, an era in which there is equality," said Venne. She spoke optimistically of a better future that would be "much better in the next 25 years than in the last 25 years."

On a national level, a brief history of the National Association of Friendship centres was provided by Karen Collins, who is the secretary for the organization which involved 108 members of which there are 96 core-funded centres and 12 that are "new and developing as well as satellite operations." She identified Winnipeg and Vancouver as being the first centres originating back in 1958, and the Edmonton one in 1962, which made it one of the first five in the country.

Another speaker was Gordon Russell, the CNFC program director. He mentioned the centre's "Friends in Sports" activities which began two years ago and had over 400 Native athletes who participated in the first year. As part of the 25th anniversary, the CNFC plans to play host to a National Native competition in 1987 that could attract 600 to 700 participants from Canada and the United States between July 6 and 9 at the University of Alberta.

Additional sports events planned are the mens' and womens' Fastball Tournament July 10 - 12 and two golf tournaments - the "Early Bird" on May 9 - 10 at the Sherwood Golf and Country Club and the "International Golf Tournament" July 16 - 18 at The Links in Spruce Grove.

Apart from the sporting activities, a "Seniors Gathering" is to be held at the centre July 13 and 14 and a "Kiddies Day" on July 15. A true highlight this coming year is the fact that the CNFC is to host the annual Canadian Native Princess Pageant at the West Edmonton Mall from July 16 to 18. One other event will be a Klondike Days Breakfast at the centre on July 19.

The anniversary committee's honorary chairman, Dave Cutler, expressed his pleasure at being chosen for his role and said "it's a great honor for me...because I have

a great love for a lot of things that the Native friendship centre has been doing here in Edmonton." His interest in Natives, he pointed out, stems from his days in university because some of his courses were related to the history of indigenous peoples. Fletcher emphasized that the planning and operations for the many activities of the centre will be heavily reliant upon "volunteerism." The generosity of people contributing voluntary time and effort as has been the case in many of the centre's past activities, will be vital to the anniversary celebratons said Fletcher. It is hoped, he added, that people will step forward to involve themselves and they may do so by contacting Gordon Russell at the CNFC.

Over the years, the centre has hosted numerous sports events as well as other recreational, cultural and social activities. Counselling and referrals have been another area of endeavor on the part of the centre, which serves many, many Native people from throughout the country.

In the area of sports, the CNFC's women's fastball team warrants special mention. Last year they finished second in Oklahoma at the North American Indian championships and they have captured that title in three of the past five years.