~~ KAO Terrace Review — Wednesday, October 24, 1990

counter drop-outs

by Harriett Fjaagesund

The Kermode Friendship Cen-
tre held a three-day Youth and
Education Conference at the

Terrace Inn Oct, 18, 19 and 20. ..

The purpose of the workshop
was to help alleviate the drop-
out rate of native students in the
Northwest, and was made possi-
ble with the cooperation of the
Kitselas and Kitsumkalum
Bands, School District 88, the
National Native Role Model
Program, Canada Employment
Centre and Totem Ford (finan-
cial donation).

Guest speakers came from as
far away as North Vancouver
and Powell River. Sixteen
teachers from the Terrace area,
Prince Rupert, Kitimat and
Hazelton attended the-
workshop. Parents, education
administrators and a number of
youths who have already drop-
ped out of school also attended.
All resource people at the
workshop were natives.

Francis Smith, program direc-
tor for the Kermode Friendship
Centre, says that by Grade 10
the drop-out rate for native
students is 75 percent, as com-
pared to 25 percent for non-
native. Lack of self-esteem,
positive role models, and cross-
cultural awareness are contrib-
uting factors.

Smith says one of the biggest
problems has been the fact that
natives have not had a say in
how their children were
educated. Until recent years,
native youths were expected to
attend a missionary school
where religion was given priority
over education. They were not
allowed to practise their cultural
heritage or speak their native
languages.

Employment opportunities
were severely restricted due to
the lack of formal education and
the attitudes of society in
general. Up until 1949 natives.
were not allowed to vote,
Natives who fought in World
War II had their Indian status
_ taken away. Native children
were left with a very negative
and limited view of life that
snowballed right into the next
generation.

But some changes have now
been made in the educational
system, such as the hiring of
native teachers to teach native

Lr
9

Dance to the

students. Non-native teachers
find it difficult to relate to the
needs of native children.

Shirley Adams, secondary
vice principal at the New
Aiyansh school, says the goal in
education is to restore knowl-
edge of First Nations culture and
language in a formal education
setting. And because the chil-
dren are able to identify with
their native instructors, the
teachers become positive role
models. Frank Hamilton, Super-
jntendent of School District 88,
said he is 100 percent behind the
program.

Smith says workshops are a
positive step in the right direc-

tion, and that they would like to

make the Youth and Education
Conference an annual event.

They also plan on making a
presentation to the school board

with recommendations that

come out of the workshop.

Both Smith and Adams were
quick to point out that there are
two sides to every coin; most
people are busy trying to survive
the best way they can and so
don’t always notice what’s hap-
pening around them. But more
and more people are now
becoming aware of the stum-
bling blocks facing native youth,
and attitudes are beginning to
change.

The conference was wound

down with a play about AIDS.

performed by the popular native

group Snap Shots. The play is

based on a real incident.

Hallowe’en Dance

| | of "Rocky Tops" —*Spot Dance’ prizes
country and western band . 7 a
. rcs ‘Members and guests welcome
early; Stay latel” |

if we have a severe climate here, these Japanese walnuts —

haven't heard about it. Otto Grundmann grew them on part of his
exotic tree farm, which also grows pecan and almond trees, at the
west end of the Horseshoe area in Terrace. Grundmann believes
small scale agriculture in the area Is an undeveloped industry with
a lot of potential.

rockin’ sounds

“wy: Welcome Wagon _
wy > would like to thank the following
| Bridal Party Sponser: —

Under the new management and totally redecora ted
ballroom, your banquet, meeting or reception
will be a smash hit.

_

CITY OF TERRACE
PUBLIC NOTICE —
AMENDMENT TO ZONING
BY-LAW NO. 401-1966

_ TAKE NOTICE THAT an application has been made to amend
the Gity of Terrace Zoning By-Law No. 401-1966, {and amend-
ments thereto). oe

TAKE NOTICE ALSO THAT the amendment affects the pro-

perty and land, within the City of Terrace, outlined and shad-

ed on the accompanying map (4332 Lazeile Avenue), legally

describes as Lot 3, District Lot 368, Range 5, Coast District,
an 3034.

INTENT: The intent of this zoning amendment application is
to add the new land use zone of “Neighbourhood Pub Com-
merical (C5) to Zoning By-Law No. 401-1966; and to CHANGE
the zoning use of the subject property from CENTRAL COM-
oe (C1) to NEIGHBOURHOOD PUB COMMERCIAL
(C5).

The proposed amendment By-law may be inspected between
the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, ex-
cluding holidays from October 16, 1990 to October 29, 1990,
both inclusive, in the reception area at the City of Terrace
Public Works Building at 5003 Graham Avenue, Terrace, B.C.

Any person(s) wishing to voice their opinions regarding this
Application may do so in writing, to Mayor and Council and/
or in person MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1990, at 7:30 p.m., in the
Municipal Council Chambers, 3215 Eby Street, Terrace, B.C.

- THIS‘NOTICE IS GIVEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MUNI-
CIPAL ACT, R.8.8.C. 1979 (AND AMENDMENTS THERETO).

TAKE NOTICE and be governed accordingly.
E.R. HALLSOR, CLERK-ADMINISTRATOR

LOT 3,-D.L.368, 8.5, C.D.,
PLAN 3034

4332 Lakelse Avenue

"Midnight Munchies " by
the Ladies’ Auxiliary

"Best Hallowe’en costumes’ prizes