Article appeared in the June 23, 2011 issue of the Interlake Spectator…
Painting at RFC
Executive Director of the Friendship Centre, Tanis Grimolfson, appeared with Office Administrator, Jo-Anne Johannesson, and Program Co-ordinator, Kody Taylor.
“We are a home away from home for all non-resident students that attend Riverton High School,” said Grimolfson. “This is the only place we have in the community where the youth can go to access programs, equipment, and computers.”
The Riverton friendship Centre offers cultural programs, with drumming workshops, medicine wheel teachings, sweats, crafts, and cultural cooking classes, to name a few. The centre hopes to soon add programming in Diabetes health and Aboriginal languages.
Grimolfson informed the board about some events the friendship centre has facilitated: A Suicide Prevention and Intervention Skills Level 1 course, that helped participants learn how to deal with high risk youth; sports clinics and tournaments; an after school homework club; and a healthy snack pilot project.
A new project, called “Aboriginal Girls and Women on the Move”, will soon be piloted with The Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS) and the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC). The Riverton centre is one of five across Canada to pilot the project.
“We host many special activities and community events in our Parent Child Program,” Grimolfson said.
The Riverton friendship Centre has partnered with the Evergreen schools on a free hot lunch program, and hosted a day of cultural experience for exchange students from Quebec earlier this year.
Grimolfson invited the Evergreen School Division to build on their partnership in the future, a suggestion which school superintendent, Paul Cuthbert, welcomed.
Grimolfson proposed that the school board consider offering the opportunity to students to achieve a cultural credit, just as it currently offers them a chance to earn credits for community service.
