Dr. Anne Anderson Heritage and Cultural Centre

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Cultural centre in jeopardy

The Dr. Anne Anderson Native Heritage & Cultural Centre may be forced to close its doors due to recent grant cutbacks, with the previous funding being denied.

At present, the centre is existing mainly on Dr. Anderson`s privately owned ''Cree Productions", but an ongoing dependence on this source will force Cree productions itself to possibly collapse.

Dr. Anderson says the centre will continue as long as it can, but that funding must be found.

"For the past 18 years," she states, "I have struggled to keep the Cree language and culture alive. When we first moved here, we had many promises and some funding, which made it possible for us to continue with our endeavors. After three years we found ourselves lacking funds since the grant cuts were made. To this date, I am very worried about what funding we will receive. If we do not get the funding, I can see our place close like many others."

After working on this project for so long, she doesn't want to see this happen, being that it is one of the only Native-Metis cultural resource centres in this province and Canada. "In our centre, we do several things, such as teach the Cree language, display Native and Metis crafts and artefacts, have a library, teach about herbs and their historical importance, and many other things," says Dr. Anderson.

What money that does come in stems from the sale of crafts, her Cree language classes and her book sales. This is not enough to support both the centre and her company. She is seeking other sources of revenue, but the options available are few.

"I am just wondering, which way do I turn in order to survive? We are in dire need of funds, that is for sure. I am hoping that whoever see this writing on paper may be able to help or offer suggestions. We are willing to listen, because we do want to carry on. The people who do use this centre also are wondering where they can go if we close our doors to them," she states.

When asked how the Native-Metis groups could assist her she said, "It seems to me that all Native organizations should give some kind of support, because we speak the same language (Cree), have the same cultural understandings and are striving to keep it alive. If we can all remember that this is part of us and that we have to work together and not alone, then we will make it through these hard times together. Whether this could happen, I don't know?"

She is at present seeking funds through Alberta Culture, the Heritage Foundation, other grant sources, bingos and donations. Most of these grants and funding sources will not be decided upon until late in the year. This would be too late in coming. Her last grant instalment from Native Secretariat (now Native Services) was received in March, and has to last until July. After this period, the centre will be totally without funding.

About the function of her centre and others that are concerned with the Native-Metis culture, she further added, "Imagine what a Cree or Metis nation would be like without history or a language? The Elders used to, and still do worry about this. History and language create a strong sense of national identity, because these identify a certain tribe or people. Who cared many years ago about the Indian and Metis culture? It was almost lost. Today, there is an increasing demand and desire among the Native people to find their cultural roots and history.

"Many Native people could not speak their own language, and were punished if they did (residential schools). Now they're trying to get back to the proper groove so that they can be proud of their language, identity and culture. The demand for material to assist these people is increasing and some of it is right here in this centre, if we are allowed to continue."

The demand for material about the Native culture is also being sought by non-Native people, and phone calls have more than doubled over the past year.

"We are here to promot an awareness of the Native and Metis culture, renewal and development for these two cultures and a clearer understanding of them. I hope that this centre can continue to assist in this way."

If anyone wishes to donate or offer any suggestions to Dr. Anderson, please feel free to cal her at 452-6296.