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Centre's financial picture will become clearer May 25
Chris Clegg
for South Peace News
The High Prairie Native Friendship Centre will know a lot more about their funding for the coming months after a meeting May 25.
Alberta Native Friendship Centre Association representatives will be attending the meeting, which begins at 5 p.m. at the centre.
“We’ll know a lot more on money for Aboriginal programming,” says the centre’s executive director, Vicky Barsalou, who made the comment at the High Prairie Interagency meeting April 7.
She adds funding will not be known until June but they have been informed they are losing $30,000 in money earmarked for the youth centre.
“That’s a major hit,” says Barsalou, adding fundraising will have to be increased.
In a letter dated April 6, Barsalou wrote the ANFCA has hired an Aboriginal consultant to facilitate community consultations with Alberta’s Friendship Centres, their partners and stakeholders.
“(Their job is) to review/evaluate the impact of the Government of Alberta’s 2000 Aboriginal Policy Framework,” writes Barsalou.
The framework’s two goals were identified as improving socio-economic opportunities for Aboriginal peoples and communities and clarifying roles and responsibilities of federal, provincial and Aboriginal governments and communities.
“Unfortunately, there was limited opportunity for Friendship Centre participation,” says Barsalou.
But that is about to change at the May 25 meeting when High Prairie will have its say.
“For the 10-year review, the Friendship Centres and their partners and stakeholders will each have an opportunity to provide input,” says Barsalou.
Local focus will be on the impact of the framework and its influence on programming and the lives of Aboriginal people the centre provides services to and whether appropriate resources are provided to allow Aboriginal organizations to work effectively with government departments to achieve positive change.
The meeting is expected to last 2-3 hours with the public invited to attend.
For a copy of the Aboriginal Policy Framework, please contact the Friendship Centre at 780-523-4511. Staff will be pleased to provide it.
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