Foundation aids community healing From page 3 ta?! schools, and who have car- ried thishurden believing that in some way they must be responsible, we wish to empha- sise that what vost experienced was not your fault a ud should never have happened. To thase of you who suffered this tragedy at reside utial seboals, we are deeply sorry.” Acknowledging the mis- take was a critical step, say those dealing with the tallout from the schools. But now, rather than dwelling in’ the past, it’s time for healing. At the time that it apologized. the government also committed $350 million to a com- munity-based healing strategy. The Aboriginal Healing Foundation was launched in May of the same » year to manage the money. It funds initiatives across Canada for First Nations, -Inuit and Métis which address issues such as physical and sexual abuse, family vio- lence, drug and alcohol abuse, and parenting skills. On the North Shore and in Squamish there are four programs in place, funded by the foundation, which are designed to help heal mem- bers of the Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. “The Squamish Nation Crisis Centre is cone of them. Here, the focus is on commu- “mity healing. “We would like what ripple we're doing here with clients and volunteers to have a pos- itive ripple effect in the com- munity” said Janice Wardrop, the volunteer coor- dinator at the centre. “That if they're healing and getting stronger theyll take it home and spread it through their families.” Wardrop and other staff members — including coor- dinator of | services Dion Thevarge; Visa Andrew, the organizational liaison and intake worker in) Squamish; and Svis**lom, now a com- munity crisis counsellor — gathered at the centre in fuly “We would like what we’re doing here with clients and volunteers to have to tak abour what they are doing there. It opened its doors almost a year ago, on Sept. 25, 1999. It offers contemporary ser- vices and forms of treatment: there’s a mental health work- er on staff, and clients can receive counselling and art therapy, or get referrals to other services such as doc- tors, alcohol and drug treat- ment programs, and legal ser- vices. But more importantly, the crisis centre also offers tradi- tional forms of healing and treatment, arranging for clients to participate in purifi- cation ceremonies such as the sweat lodge and smudging, in talking circles, pipe cere- a positive effect in the community.” — Janice Wardrop, SNCC volunteer coordinator monies, herb ceremonies, and by involving elders in some chents’ treatment programs, “For solong uhese services were offered by non-native agencies,” satd Wardrop. “They were missing the tradi- tenal forms of heahng. We want fo take a holistic approach, and culture and spiriteality are kev in doing that.” The centre is open to ali members of the Squamish nation, both on reserve and off. “In some cases we're help- ing the second or third gener- ation from someone who went to a residen tal school,” said Dion. “Hts: differ- ent in every family, beliefs and values, gets passed on. Clinically they have a dack of identity, theyre missing a sense of self.” It’s not happening quickly, say the statf, “Some people are open to it, but it takes a while for peo- ple oto feel safe,” said Wardrop. “Trust has been a major issue ins the community,” added Seis*“lom. But progress is being made, more nation members come through the dour seck- ing help every day, and the programs are continually evolving, depending on what the staff see as needs in the community. And it isn't only nation members — secking treatment who spend time at the centre: about 30 volun- teers help with administrative duties and mar thz (®narantee > FOR AS LONG AS YOU OWN YOUR CAR For Foreign & Domestic Cars, 4X4’s, SUV's + Light Trucks MORTH SHORE’S HIGHEST VOLUME ALL MAKE CENTRE WITH STATE OF THE ART EQUIPMENT Mooney Coll. Div. Msnager Agostino Also Mechanical Division. 7 Repairs to all makes of Carsand = #/ SA RRO: light Trucks (Foreign & Domestic). Ps eB TAYLOR OTIVE SERVICE LTD. 174 Pemberton Ave., North Van Accredited Collision Repoirs, FULLY GUARANTEED a Assistant) PRIVATE & INSURANCE REPAIRS * Quality Workmanship | * Trustworthy Service’: ¢ Free Estimates Alternative transportation arranged. TASKING -*& ESTIMATES x erien. 3 CONSULTATION jj 985-7455. 5 Red python boot from Shoe Tree.