In September 2003 the GVUAS put out a Request for Proposals (RFP) for projects that would addresses challenges faced by the urban Aboriginal community by focusing on the 3 priorities of the GVUAS, youth, health and homelessness. That RFP was distributed to 62 Aboriginal organizations in the lower mainland and 32 applications were received in response. Twelve projects were selected by the GVUASSC and implemented for the period of November 1, 2003 to March 31, 2004. A brief update on each project follows.

Healing Our Spirit:
In the Spirit of Hope for APHAs: Supporting the Return to the Workplace

In order to prepare Aboriginal persons living with HIV/AIDS for employment that will utilize their workplace skills and experience, support their efforts to be productive members of society, and enable them to tell their stories about living with HIV/AIDS, Healing Our Spirit is now offering a program that includes:

• Life skills training
• Computer Basics Training
• Employment and volunteer preparation
• Health and Wellness

The first session starts on January 29/04 and the program runs for a duration of 2 months with space reserved for 15 participants. A partnership has been formed with The Gathering Place, an education centre of the Vancouver School Board, who will be hosting the Computer Training courses. Bus tickets, childcare and lunch will be provided for participants as needed.

For more Information Contact Rodney Little Moustache at Healing Our Spirit 604-879-8884

Warriors Against Violence:
Warriors Against Violence Capacity Building Education Project

In order to be able to enhance the existing family violence reduction programs offered through Warriors Against Violence and to add youth programming Warriors staff will complete training at the Centre for Leadership and Community Learning at the Justice Institute of British Columbia. On January 5/04 the 3 staff to be trained in youth programming began their course work in Adventure Based Youth Learning, Substance Abuse from a Youth Perspective and Youth and Trauma. The remaining individuals to be trained will begin their coursework in February 2004.

For More Information Contact: Katherine Grimm 604-255-3240

Arrows to Freedom:
Arrows Mentorship Program

In order to keep youth in school and build leadership Arrows to Freedom has launched a 3-pronged project that focuses on support and peer mentoring models. Hired tutors host a total of 7 homework clubs at schools in the Burnaby area. Approximately 7-10 children attend each homework club daily. The project works to minimize barriers to attend the clubs by providing snack and bus tickets to the participants. Extra support is provided to the clubs through the voluntary time given by the Aboriginal Support Workers at each of the 6 school clubs. The first session of a 5 session Mentorship Training program was held January 20/04 with 13 youth ages 16-18 in attendance. The first of two Leadership Camps is booked (space for 40 reserved) at Camp Sasamat for Jan 30, 31& Feb 1/04. Youth ages 16 to 18 can attend this camp and will attend workshops that promote cooperation, communications, leadership trust and listening skills. Participants will also receive mentor training and go on to be Peer Mentors for youth aged 12-16. Youth aged 12-15 will be invited to attend, with their Peer Mentors, the second Leadership Camp to be held March 5-7/04 (space for 80 reserved).

For more information contact Malcolm Key @ 64-520-6944 or visit the website at www.arrowstofreedom.ayn.ca/amp

United Native Nations:
Integrated Urban Family Reunification Services Systems

In order to enhance their ability to reunify Aboriginal families, U.N.N. has begun to create an integrated information services system that will increase the effectiveness of the Family Reunification team at U.N.N. A business analysis template has been created and once finalized, will allow the Family Reunification staff to analyze their day-to-day work and streamline their search and information processes, allowing them to be more effective and to share information with other family reunification services. An information architect template is also being developed and once implemented, will allow U.N.N to capture and store all the data necessary to family reunification work, from client profiles, genealogical data to search directories and Bill C-31 records.

For more information contact Liz Hall @ 604-662-8711

Helping Spirit Lodge:
K’UK KA ELIN Windsong

In order to achieve the project goal of creating a Peer Outreach system for street entrenched Aboriginal men and women who do not, or cannot, utilize existing support services Wind Song has recruited 10 volunteers as ‘trusted peers’ to act in a mentoring capacity and has an overall volunteer list of 25. In addition to working with street entrenched persons, these volunteers have also engaged in providing soup and bannock lunches, creating an inventory list of those who need basic life supplies such as shoes or hygiene products, teaching drumming and carving, and providing referrals. To date this outreach program has worked with hundreds of street entrenched people, providing emergency hotel accommodations at the Dominion hotel for 167, bus tickets for 177, 86 meal tickets, and 113 with emergency outdoor living supplies. Wind Song staff are currently engaged in creating a ‘Survival Guide’ of resources for the Trusted Peers to distribute.

For more information contact Heather Stratton or Bonnie Kennedy @ 604-872-6649

Kla-how-eya (Surrey Aboriginal
Cultural Centre):
Elder’s Lodge

A total of 77 Elders have signed on to be involved in the design and development of the new Elder’s Lodge at Kla-how-eya Centre. The first meeting of the Elder’s Lodge Council was held in the second week of January with 53 Elders in attendance. That council confirmed that the goal of the Elder’s Lodge was to become the centerpiece of the Kla-how-eya Aboriginal Centre and integral to all of the programs offered, from early childhood education to youth programs.

For more information contact Noella Mattess @ 604-584-2008

Kla-how-eya (Surrey Aboriginal
Cultural Centre):
Earn and Learn

The planning and development of an alternative educational program for Aboriginal youth in the Surrey area has begun. By combining part time work experience and building on the New School Literacy Program low literacy youth will be able to improve literacy skills, re-enter the school system, gain some work experience and ultimately transition to work or continuing education after completing this 2-year program. The UAS Pilot Initiative funds will allow Kla-how-eya to lay the foundation for this innovative educational program by funding the development of key partnerships, curriculum and materials and the operational model.

For more information contact Ruby Dewet @ 604-584-2008

Circle of Eagles Lodge Society (COELS):
Anderson Lodge Healing Centre for Aboriginal Women

The new kitchen, bedroom, laundry and office furniture purchased for the newly renovated Anderson Lodge healing centre for women has provided a safe and comfortable environment for the residents. A consultant has been hired to begin the Society Accreditation process which will allow COELS to access private and public funding. Final project activities include the completion of an extensive evaluation of COELS programs content and efficiency. That analysis will be complete by the project end date.

For more information contact Marge White @ 604-874-9610

Indigenous Media Arts Group (IMAG): Healing Hands, Stories of Resistance: A Media Arts Training Project for At Risk Aboriginal Youth

On December 9/03 Classes began for 8 at-risk youth in the Healing Hands Media Arts Training Program. Classes are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., leaving Mondays and Fridays open for research, tutoring, time with program Elders and hands-on practice with technical equipment. Opening classes include Media Literacy & Theory, Media Art History, Set Design and Direction, Aboriginal Practices and Research Methodologies. Guest lecturers in the program include Duncan McCue, journalist for CBC, and acclaimed Aboriginal media artists like Loretta Todd, Donald Morrin and Lenny Fischer. The program completes March 15, 2004, providing students with a certificate in media arts and job readiness. As their final assignment each student will tell a story of health and healing related to their life story. These media arts projects will be showcased at the annual IMAGENATION Aboriginal Film and Video Festival in April 2004.

For more information contact Vera Wabegijig @ 604-871-0173

Métis Provincial Council of B.C.:
Urban Aboriginal Teen Parent Program

In January 2004 the Urban Aboriginal Teen Parent Centre opened the doors of its newly renovated space at 713 Columbia Street in New Westminster. The Centre features a fun play room complete with its own library and aquarium for the children, a resource Centre, kitchen and meeting rooms for the parents. Starting in February programs for children and parents will begin, including programs such as Mother Goose story telling and literacy sessions for the children and Infant First Aid Certification and Child Nutrition workshops for the parents and caregivers. In order to remove barriers for attendance bus tickets and childcare will be provided when the parent workshops are taking place.

For more information contact Larry Railton @ 604-801-5853.

Vancouver Native Housing Society (VNHS):
After School Pilot Initiative, Bring Kids, Youth and Elders Together

In January 2004 the After School Centre of Vancouver Native Housing opened its doors. The funk space was renovated to include homework stations, computers and arts centers for the children and youth. The program is full with 12 children/youth registered to attend 3 days a week. However, given the tremendous interest from the residents of the VNHS housing complexes, VNHS is planning to expand the program to 5 days a week. In addition to the staff, a group of Elders will be volunteering during program hours to be with the children and youth.

For more information contact Laura Foulkes @ 604-320-3312 ext. 26.

Red Road HIV/AIDs Network:
HIV/AIDS Awareness Project

In order to increase awareness and education on HIV/AIDS in the greater Vancouver area this innovative project will utilize GIS technology to develop a better understanding of geographic areas at higher risk of new infections and to better understand gaps in care, treatment, and support for Aboriginal Person Living with HIV/AIDS and the BC Aboriginal population. The prototype for that system is currently being developed and a GIS Steering Committee has been struck. In addition, a two-person production staff team has been hired and are busy designing and producing the inaugural issue of the full-coloured magazine “Bloodlines”, which will be released in March 2004.

For more information contact Kim Louie @ 604-913-3332.