oe Ne a ae The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, June 18, 2003 - A7 Counselling service notes its 25th A KEY NORTHWEST counselling ser- vice is noting its 25th year of operation -... With a banquet June 24. “We're gathering to honour the foun- ders who made it what it is,” said Geri McDougall, the executive director of the Northwest Band Social Workers Associa- tion, While cutbacks to social assistance programs in the northwest have caused other counselling centres in the area to reduce services, the asscciation at 1581 Kulspai Cres. is growing in clientele. The asscciation has three certified counsellors on duty here and a sister of- fice in Prince Rupert has four counsellors. Together, the offices handle approx- imately 800 clients per year and the num- ber is grawing. In the last year, the number of people seeking counselling for sexual abuse has doubled to 492 clients. “They have had an increase in clients due to the economy and cut backs in so- cial system,” said Shirley Bolan, chair- person of social development for the Kit- selas band. “There seéms to be, with the economic downturn, more visible pover- ty.” Geri McDougall is the executive dir- ector of the association and has been a counsellor there since 1997. She has been a social worker for 20 years and has seven years of post-second- ary education behind her, including a Ba- chelor of Social Work she obtained from the University of Victoria. She also has certificates in professional counselling, sexual abuse, couple and family counsel- mn ] think we've be- come more visible late- ly,” she said. The associa- A tion conti- nues to re- ceive $185,000 per 2) year from the H Northern 7 Health Au- thority and an additional -|$167,000 | from a_ fed- eral founda- Geri McDougall tion estab- lished to deal with the effects on aboriginal people of residential schools. The Prince Rupert office also receives $125,000 per year from the Ministry of Children and Family Development. The association has an outreach pro- gram that stretches to Gitanyow, Kitwan- ga, the Hazeltons, Gitseguecla and the Kitimat area. McDougall said she doesn’t worry about government money being pulled from the programs. “At this moment, we’re not worried,” McDougall said, adding that statistics re- corded by the association shows the com- munity is in need of such an organization. Money from the residential school pro- gram will end in two years, when a 10- year agreement concludes, but McDou- ‘g@ Coho counter LEONARD SQUIRES, project leader for a Nisga‘a Fisheries coho tagging program in the Nass Valley, holds a few silvery smolts in his hand. The juvenile salmon, bound for the ocean as they mature, are fitted with a tiny identification tag so they can be tracked later. Lots of prizes HAWKAIR | Celebrates Aboriginal Days Prince Rupert, Terrace-Kitimat, Smithers, Dawson Creek to Vancouver's convenient South Terminal. www. hawkairnet NEW! Connector Service To Massett, Queen Charlotte Islands (Haida Gwaii) KEEP YOUR eyes and ears open for plenty of opportuni- ty to win prizes and cash at National Aboriginal Day June 21 in George Little Memorial Park. There’s going to be a continuous bingo in which numbers will be called each time 75 slots are sold on a master card, And a grand prize of two air tickets to Van- couver and other prizes will be featured in raffles. Volunteers are still needed and those interested in helping out should call Lynn Wright at the Kermode gall said the counselling and intervention ling and addictions: counselling. programs will continue. Originally from the Hazeltons, Mc- Dougall has worked with troubled and “We really work hard to be profession- abused people from al] over the local re- al,” she said. gion. McDougall said she prefers to take the McDougall said the association pro- holistic approach when counselling by in- vides free counselling services for anyone volving ail members of troubled families. in need, The association is also holding a free “We don't turn anyone away,” Mc- workshop on June 25th and 26th at the Dougall said. “We all have the same needs.” McDougall said she thinks more people are becoming aware of what the association has to offer. ' Terrace Inn. The target of the workshop is health in families. Lunch is free for parti- cipants. To register or for more informa- tion on programs, call 638-0744. Forest tenure called key to First Nations’ future By JESSIE GIES LYLE BOLTON is the son of a chief, he has two sets of parents, and he has a goal. He wants to take what he’s learned from his fami- ly and post-secondary edu- cation and use it to strengthen his people. Bolton is the natural re- source manager of the Kit- sumkalum village govern- ment. A trained forest iechni- cian, Bolton is working with chief councillor Ste- was five years old. He grew up in a four- person family with his fa- ther, former Kitsumkalum and his stepmother, re- nowned basket weaver Rena Bolton, along with his two sisters. Bolton said his career has been shaped by the support and influence of his parents on both sides as well as what he learned working for the provincial government as a forestry technician. He has been working as Friendship Centre, 635-4906. band chief Cliff Bolton, © Province of British Columbia Congratulations to all First Nations ven Roberts to develop a forest tenure agreement providing the village with economic and olher secur- ity. ; “Tt think il’s important that each and every First Nations person be involved Lyle Bolton in treaty negotiations and know what’s happening on their land,” Bolton said. Bolton's biological par- ents separated when he the Kitsumkalum resource manager since 1999 and feels he’s helped to better the community through his work. “It think there’s been lots of good changes.” Cont'd Page A10 on National Aboriginal Day! Roger Harris . (Skeena) I am pleased to celebrate with others, the many contributions aboriginal people have made to British Columbia.. NWCC Celebrate ion and all Fi st Nations learners : | We value the cultural civersity and history our First Nations learners bring to our College. Working together with our local First Nations communities, NWCC encourages northwest residents and visitors to take part in the following Aboriginal Day celebrations: Shop is owned 3 avid bpbaids by the Kitsumkalum Band Counc June 16- Aboriginal Day Events, NWCC Houston Campus 2 June 23 NWCC and Houston Friendship Centre host workshops & & cultural” The shop opened i in 1971 ‘and : events alee : oe was rebuilt with the Kitsumkalum: June 19 Nwcc Hazelton Campus and Gltanmaax Band Office” : Community Cc entre i in 199 6, Th 1 Bar-BQ and cultural events, 12 to 3; co p.m. at Hazelton Campus. store front features the west i te 21 si ey caren ny oe ot es cost design by Fredo Dising __ Committee for a day of fun and music... that was on the orgie | long. : June 21 Aboriginal Day Celebiation Event, Lower Little Park, Terrace house style bui ding. : - sganizad by ine kame FionasNp Soci, 9am ‘eo p.m. The gift shop carries silver-carved and pewter jewelry, books, 1 moccasin June 21 NWEC Smithers Campus and De L K'ant Friendship Society slippers, prints and dream catchers, as well as confectionary | items. host workshops and'cultural events, 12..m, to 4 p.m. at _ Check out our. selection of t-shirts and art cards, a Smithers Campus. . . _ | Bxcerawes Kempo COMMUNITY COLLECE Take.a closer look. . “Located 3 ‘niles west of Terrace é on Highicy 16, c= PO, Box 544, Terrace, B C. V8G. 4B5. . : 8-1: “¢ ome celebrate with us! Call 1 877 277- 2288 today: