Search on to find funding for youth program

Page 9

Youth worker Robert Metchooyeah isn't much older than the people who used to come to his recreation center - the only one at Assumption reserve in northern Alberta geared toward Dene Tha' youth. But he said he's old enough to know the importance of having a place to go to keep out of trouble.

The only problem is that place no longer exists.

Now, the 24-year-old Dene Tha' member is working with his employer, Native Counseling Services of Alberta (NCSA), to restore funding to the Talking Drum youth program -- its contract with the provincial government April 1.

The youth program was set up by Native Counseling and the Dene Tha' band three years ago to help promote Native culture and boost communications between Dene Tha' children and band elders.

Operated at a home in Assumption, it was also the reserve's only recreational outlet for Native youth.

"We stress our traditional songs and our elders give spiritual guidance too," Metchooyeah said.

"It's important to our people."

The program was operated with four Native Counseling staff members and was under contract to the Alberta solicitor genera.

Pat Pentland, area supervisor with Native Counseling, said her agency is trying to get funding restored.

"There's certainly a movement afoot to find new money to put that program back in place," she said.

Native Counseling is trying to reopen the center with a volunteer staff until they negotiate for more funding.

Talking Drum offered recreational activities including games, videos and camping trips. It also provided alcohol and drug abuse counseling.

A Native justice task force, which recently held public hearings in the High level area, was told a Native youth gang is terrorizing members of Assumption reserve.

The task force was established to investigate why there is a high rate of Natives in Alberta jails.

While in Assumption, the seven-member panel heard alcohol is a major problem to the Dene Tha' and that a youth gang has been known to threaten and rob band elders.

An Edmonton program director with Native Counseling said his group isn't concerned where the money comes from as long as they can get the Talking Drum youth program back in action.

Allen Benson said the provincial government has yet to come up with more money to operate the program. Native Counseling is also looking to the private sector and charitable foundations to help reestablish the program that will eventually be under band control.