By Curtis Galbraith

Community

GPFC president calls loss of funding for family reunification program “devastating”

May 4, 2022 | 6:00 AM

The Grande Prairie Friendship Centre is criticizing the province’s Children’s Services department after losing funding to administer a program for families.

The centre says the Mamewpitaw program was one that was for family reunification and was centred on Indigenous culture.

Centre President Len Auger says calls the decision “devastating.”

“It does impact what we do at the Friendship Centre. In this case, Mamawpitaw is a family-oriented program trying to keep children and families together.”

“It’s been tough for us. It means that the program that we’ve had for 12 years is now going to another organization.”

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Auger wonders if the provincial government or Children’s Services have taken a good look at the calls for action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

“One of the things that we talked about is we are an Indigenous organization that’s been doing this program for 12 years and with the TRC coming in over the last few years, you’d think government and the different departments would be living up to the Calls to Action the government is supposed to be doing.”

Auger says they plan to continue to voice their displeasure with the decision.

“I think maybe in the future look for more involvement with the people that review the applications and all that and really challenge them as to are they in compliance (with) the TRC Calls to Action.”

A statement from Children’s Services says a new group was chosen after what it calls a “competitive and transparent RFP process” and says it will talk to the Friendship Centre to address any concerns.

The statement adds a new group was chosen after what it calls a “competitive and transparent RFP process” and says it will talk to the Friendship Centre to address any concerns.

The PACE Centre has been operating a regional family intervention program since April 1.

Executive director Jackie Aitken says it is getting going in Grande Prairie, Peace River, Paddle Prairie, and High Level.

“We now have locations in Grande Prairie, High Level, and Peace River established.”

“We are still in the hiring process; however, we have got a number of staff hired and already assuming files.”

Aitken says 24 families have joined the program since it started, and more referrals are coming in daily.

“There were not that many families transitioned so many of the families have completed their work with other agencies. Some were transitioned and we’re just starting picking up all the new families.”

Aitken says they will talk to the people at the Friendship Centre.

“I think there were about four programs in Grande Prairie prior to the one contract for the region.”

“We’ve always had a good working relationship with the Friendship Centre. We would like to see that continue.”