An initiative to develop a gathering place and friendship centre in 100 Mile House is making headway.
The general idea involves providing a place in 100 Mile that offers supports for South Cariboo people, particularly those of Aboriginal identity, in a welcoming and safe environment.
Canim Lake Band (CLB), the lead proponent for Stemete7uw’i: A Gathering Place, learned last spring it was unsuccessful in its application for a grant that would potentially have provided up to $200,000.
Irene Gilbert, who works for the band in communications/mapping, with a portfolio that includes cultural and heritage aspects, says the grant denial was a bit of a letdown.
“It was a disappointment not to be successful with the Community Action Initiative Convening Grant.
“In the [community] cafes held in October/November 2010, we witnessed the strong desire for a gathering place/friendship centre in the South Cariboo.”
Since then, other local agencies have stepped up to the plate with some funding to help make it a reality, she says, adding the centre could be established as early as January 2012.
“Guided by the Canim Lake Band and South Cariboo [partners], the steering committee decided to go ahead with setting up a friendship centre to meet the needs of our communities.”
Much of this recent progress is thanks to a Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) grant for $25,000, the band providing $5,000 and the Canadian Mental Health Association-South Cariboo Branch (CMHA) contributing another $2,500 for a total of $32,500, among other donations.
In partnership with CMHA, the band recently hired a co-ordinator on a part-time basis to search for a gathering place location and work toward securing additional funding.
The new co-ordinator, Andrea Boyce, began her work in a space set aside at the CMHA office on Oct. 3, Gilbert explains, where staff is also providing her with some mentorship.
The gathering place steering committee continues to work in partnership with existing area service providers to keep the project in line with the vision arising from earlier community forums.
These goals include providing another route to health and wellness services, workshops and programs with partner service providers and a place for celebrating Aboriginal cultural heritage.
On a basic level, the gathering place can offer a safe and accessible place out of the weather for people from surrounding communities to meet.
The Cariboo Regional District recently allocated $1,500 toward furniture for the facility, and Ainsworth Lumber Co. Ltd. is providing some office furniture, Gilbert notes.
Other partners include the South Cariboo Community Planning Council (SCCPC), Canim Lake Band Wellness Centre, Interior Health Authority, Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy, District of 100 Mile House, Cariboo Family Enrichment Centre, 100 Mile House & District Women’s Centre and the Cariboo Chilcotin Aboriginal Training Education Centre.
Gilbert adds community members have come forward to offer other basic needs, such as dishes.
For more information or to provide support for the gathering place, call Gilbert at the Canim Lake Band office at 250-397-2227.
