Donation helps family centre enhance cultural programming

By Alexandra Noad - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on September 18, 2024.

The Nohkohwaa Family and Youth Centre, located in Fort MacLeod, received a donation of $150,000 on Tuesday from TD Bank.

The donation will enhance their current cultural programing as well as increase the technology for the site including adding security cameras and program computers. The funds will also be used to help train staff who work with the families and youth through their programs.

Nohkohwaa Family and Youth Centre is an Indigenous-led and operated family and youth centre which takes a holistic approach to wellness addressing all forms including mental, physical, spiritual and emotional aspects.

This approach has been developed through the knowledge and guidance of Indigenous wisdom holders who are united in their commitment to supporting Indigenous children and youth in their journey back to their cultural roots and home fires.

These wisdom holders include elders, clan mothers, hereditary leaders, foster parents, social workers, doctors, nurses, researchers and community members.

Nohkohwaa has programs to support youth exiting foster care and youth who are in care and need a place to call home. They also support families are at risk of losing their children by providing education and support.

Karen English, executive director of Nohkohwaa, says it’s vital for these at risk youth and families to receive cultural support given the effects colonialism had and continues to have on Indigenous people.

“It has left a hole in everything around parenting, around our way of life. So, our culture, our language, our values is everything that we are, so we need to get back to that so we can start healing our families from the disruption of colonialism,” said English.

Russell Anderson, Alberta South District vice president of TD Bank Group, says TD is proud to help expand the work Nohkowaa Family and Youth Centre does to provide Indigenous-led health and Wellness to the youth of Fort Macleod.

“Through the TD Ready Commitment, our corporate citizenship platform, we’re investing in healthcare initiatives that aim to reach underserved populations and creat safe and supportive environments for adolescents,” said Anderson.

English says its contributions from corporate sponsors such as TD Bank Group is how they have created and will continue to create lasting impacts which better the outcomes to the youth and families Nohkohwaa serves.

“At Nohkohwaa and our extended family at Shinah House Foundation, we remain dedicated to providing culturally grounded Indigenous care and values to all First Nations, Metis and Inuit youth,” said English.

More information on Nohkohwaa and the programs they offer can be found at http://www.nohkohwaa.org.