source: Farm and Food Report
Earl Monkman had been living in Swift Current for seven years before he found out there was a Métis local in the city. Now he is President; it has been almost 20 years since he moved to southwestern Saskatchewan from his native St. Louis to the north; and, he has high hopes for the new Indian and Métis Friendship Centre he and others helped inaugurate on October 6th.
“If you are Aboriginal and live in this city, sometimes you can feel somewhat isolated. The closest First Nation is Nekaneet, near Maple Creek. There are communities with significant Métis populations around, but the indigenous presence here is rather discreet overall.”
Monkman, Carol Low and Virginia Larson worked tireless hours on a volunteer basis to bring the centre to life. The three founders traveled the province studying existing Friendship Centres to gain insight and ideas into how they could create their own. What they have come up with is a bright, friendly environment where visitors are surrounded by native artwork, literature and symbolism.
They picked a central location in the Swift Current Entrepreneurial Centre, to be close to the schools and to provide youth with a positive place to hang out and interact. It is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day for youth to drop by, play cards, watch TV, drink coffee, and learn about Aboriginal culture.
For co-founder Carol Low, one of the key aspects of a Friendship Centre’s presence is the opportunity to welcome youth from all nationalities: “The open door concept is central to friendship centres. It promotes mutual understanding and stimulates dialogue.”
The Friendship Centre also has a role to play in terms of fostering a positive sense of identity for Aboriginal people who may perhaps have been disconnected from their roots for all kinds of reasons, according to Earl Monkman:
“We are already seeing new faces appear through the door. Some time ago, we took a group of youth to visit burial and teepee rings sites in the Saskatchewan Landing area. We showed them the old cart trails and all that.”
The Centre hopes to obtain funding to hold workshops in traditional Aboriginal crafts such as drum making, beadwork, leather crafts, and dreamcatcher weaving, as well as classes in native languages. These are not the only ideas Low and her fellow founder have in mind: “Hopefully, we’re going to do some programs like a homework program, bring some computers in and do some computer classes, that kind of thing,” she said.
“There’s been a negative spin on what an Aboriginal is, so we want to instill in the youth the following message: just be proud of who you are, regain your self-esteem, get out there and do your best,” she added.
Former NHL star and local celebrity Bryan Trottier, a Métis himself, attended the inaugural ceremony along with about 100 guests in October. He described Métis and Aboriginal youth as often “proud, but shy”, and encouraged them to strive to achieve their goals.
“This is a place to gain an edge and an advantage,” Trottier said in the message. “Sometimes our pride and shyness doesn’t allow us to ask for help. Use this Friendship Centre as a guide, and a friend.”
The Swift Current Indian and Métis Friendship Centre is located at 885, 6th Avenue East. It welcomes everyone.
For more information, contact:
Earl Monk
Swift Current Indian and Métis Friendship Centre
(306) 773-6285
Earl Monkman had been living in Swift Current for seven years before he found out there was a Métis local in the city. Now he is President; it has been almost 20 years since he moved to southwestern Saskatchewan from his native St. Louis to the north; and, he has high hopes for the new Indian and Métis Friendship Centre he and others helped inaugurate on October 6th.
“If you are Aboriginal and live in this city, sometimes you can feel somewhat isolated. The closest First Nation is Nekaneet, near Maple Creek. There are communities with significant Métis populations around, but the indigenous presence here is rather discreet overall.”
Monkman, Carol Low and Virginia Larson worked tireless hours on a volunteer basis to bring the centre to life. The three founders traveled the province studying existing Friendship Centres to gain insight and ideas into how they could create their own. What they have come up with is a bright, friendly environment where visitors are surrounded by native artwork, literature and symbolism.
They picked a central location in the Swift Current Entrepreneurial Centre, to be close to the schools and to provide youth with a positive place to hang out and interact. It is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day for youth to drop by, play cards, watch TV, drink coffee, and learn about Aboriginal culture.
For co-founder Carol Low, one of the key aspects of a Friendship Centre’s presence is the opportunity to welcome youth from all nationalities: “The open door concept is central to friendship centres. It promotes mutual understanding and stimulates dialogue.”
The Friendship Centre also has a role to play in terms of fostering a positive sense of identity for Aboriginal people who may perhaps have been disconnected from their roots for all kinds of reasons, according to Earl Monkman:
“We are already seeing new faces appear through the door. Some time ago, we took a group of youth to visit burial and teepee rings sites in the Saskatchewan Landing area. We showed them the old cart trails and all that.”
The Centre hopes to obtain funding to hold workshops in traditional Aboriginal crafts such as drum making, beadwork, leather crafts, and dreamcatcher weaving, as well as classes in native languages. These are not the only ideas Low and her fellow founder have in mind: “Hopefully, we’re going to do some programs like a homework program, bring some computers in and do some computer classes, that kind of thing,” she said.
“There’s been a negative spin on what an Aboriginal is, so we want to instill in the youth the following message: just be proud of who you are, regain your self-esteem, get out there and do your best,” she added.
Former NHL star and local celebrity Bryan Trottier, a Métis himself, attended the inaugural ceremony along with about 100 guests in October. He described Métis and Aboriginal youth as often “proud, but shy”, and encouraged them to strive to achieve their goals.
“This is a place to gain an edge and an advantage,” Trottier said in the message. “Sometimes our pride and shyness doesn’t allow us to ask for help. Use this Friendship Centre as a guide, and a friend.”
The Swift Current Indian and Métis Friendship Centre is located at 885, 6th Avenue East. It welcomes everyone.
For more information, contact:
Earl Monk
Swift Current Indian and Métis Friendship Centre
(306) 773-6285
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