By Stephanie Froese

Aboriginal youth focus of major federal funding

Nov 9, 2010 | 3:55 PM

Four organizations that focus on providing aboriginal youth with constructive programs are getting money form the government.

Prince Albert MP Randy Hoback announced $342,492 in funding for the Indian Métis Friendship Centre, the Prince Albert Outreach Program, the Prince Albert Métis Nation, and the Prince Albert Métis Women's Association.

The announcement is part of the federal government’s Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth initiative.

It aims to help aboriginal youth aged 10 to 24 living in urban centers develop a positive cultural identity and to become prosperous both socially and economically.

“All those programs are different in nature but they generally have the same goal and that is to intercept these kids at risk and get them into the straight and narrow–get them into the proper path’” Hoback said.

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Stuart Amyotte is involved with the Prince Albert Outreach Program and the Indian Métis Friendship Centre, two of the organizations that are receiving funding.

He said it is harder for aboriginal youth to live healthy lives in urban centers because there isn’t the same kind of community involvement.

“That’s our future. We have to seriously look at that and seriously try our best to be able to be our leaders,” Amyotte said.

Connie Farber, executive director of the Indian Métis Friendship Centre said this funding means more than just throwing money at a problem.

“What you’re doing is keeping youth off the street. I know that with the schools … they keep the children active during the course of the day but in the evening many of these kids don’t have a hot meal to go to. We’ve had youth that are homeless,” Farber said.

According to Hoback, $102,000 will go towards an Aboriginal Parenting Program, $109,000 for Keepers of the Fire Spirit Program, $73,000 for the Teachings of the Sacred Fire program, and $55,000 for Group Alternatives to Native Gangs program.

sfroese@panow.com