Federal government kills funding for Native youth drop-in program
News the Hiiye’yu Lelum, House of Friendship Society’s Canadian Heritage funding for 2011/2012 has been revoked has both Duncan and North Cowichan concerned.
Duncan mayor Phil Kent and North Cowichan mayor Tom Walker convinced their colleagues at Wednesday’s Cowichan Valley Regional District board meeting to write a letter of support for the House of Friendship Society to the federal government
Program director Marcel Aubin said Canadian Heritage revoked 2011/12 funding for Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth Program because it is physically located on reserve land.
“The program is called ‘Hiiye ‘yu Tul’ (friends with each other) and provides a culturally safe and supportive environment to 20 to 60 high risk youth per night, who without our services could be on the streets or gang involved.”
According to Aubin, House of Friendship has received annual funding of $75,000 for the Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth Program since 2000/2001.
“We were strongly affected when we recently received notice that we are no longer eligible to apply for these funds.”
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