Al10- the Terrace Standard, Wednesday, March 24, 1999

Family and social services
taken over by eight bands

EIGHT NORTHWEST na-
tive bands have signed a
deal to gradually take over
the work performed by
provincial government so-
cial workers.

The federal Department of
Indian Affairs. will pay most
of the costs of hiring social
workers, administrators and
setting up a head office: in
Terrace and sub-offices in
Prince Rupert “and Dease
Lake, said) Amie Smith,
president of the Northwest

Inter-Nation Famiiy and
Community Services
Society,

The deal covers the Kit-
sels and Kitsumkalum
bands just outside of Ter-
race, the Tahltan. in Iskut
and Dease Lake, the Haisla
in Kitamaat Village, and the
Hartley Bay, Kitkatla and
Metlakatla bands on the
caasl,

Its the 14th such agrec-
ment in the province. that
hands increased control of
everything from child inter-
vention and apprehensions,
fosler care and ‘adoptions
over fo nalive people.

Smith said the focus ini-
tially will be on getting of-
fices and staff in place and
intensive training underway.

The agreement signed last
weck calls for the society to
in its fint phase develop
preventive and support ser-
vices and .set up foster
hames.

Later phases would see
them take on guardianship
of children under care in
their communities, followed
by negotiations to eventual-
ly handle all ministry func-
tions including child pro-
tection and apprehension.

Smith said the bands hope
to create a more responsive
and culturally sensitive ‘ser-
vice.

He said native people ‘have ©
for years wanted an in-
creased fevel of control be-
cause native children taken
away by social workers
have often been wrenched
from their communities and
extended families, never to
return.

To add insult to injury,
some native children taken
away aud put inlo care have

senior
housing
sought

A NEW senior’s housing
project is in-the preliminary
slages of development.

City councillor —- Rich
McDaniel is looking into
building a new 44-unit com-
plex, modelled after a com-

plex, called Orchard Court,

recently built in Kamloops.

“We're researching it,”’
McDaniel said. ‘‘Once we
get plans from the builders
we'll sce what the costs
would be.”’

The housing project is
something he’s pursuing be-
cause seniors are the fastest
growing sector of Terrace’s
population,

By the year 2026, it is -

projected that seniors
citizens will make up 20 per
cent of the city’s population,

‘They [the suits] are just
awesome,”’ McDaniel said,

while admiring the plans of .

the Kamloops building,
“They're very affordable
anid there is no yard or lawn
to deal with,’’

Every self-contained suit
in the complex has a
fireplace and a balcony,
something McDaniel said
attracted him to the project.

One bedroom and two
bedrooms apartments in the
manor could cost anywhere
from 377,000 to 121,000,
depending on size.

Plans of the complex
reveal underground parking,
a secure lobby area, a com-
mon area with a library and
reading den, and an activity

lounge with a kitchenette —

and gas fireplace.

McDaniel said the perfect
spot for the 1.5 acre manor
would be city-owned land at.
Haugland = Avente
Evergreen Street,

The complex would - be
built with private money
only,

and -

Did you know, every day, 20 to 25 children are treated
atB.C.s Children’s Hospital Emergency Department for Nes a
preventable injuries? Ghidvons \=

Jeff Nagel photo

JONAH HENRY, 18 months, took part in the ceremonies held last week as eight
northwest native bands, including Kitselas and Kitsumkatum, signed a deal to
take over social work programs now being handied by the province.

then
abused.

He said there are also hor-
ror stories af botched cases
in which social workers
have gone in and removed
the wrong children.

Smith said the society will
set up committees of elders
and others in the community
to serve as advisors to help
guide the more customized
service,

Smith said the eight bands
had to join together to de-
velop the service because
the minimum threshold for
such programs is to serve a
community with 250-plus

subsequently been

( CLEAR )
THE AIR

"| Reduce air
fon pollution
ne Cs from residential
Sy

wood smoke
and auto emissions with tips
from the Association.

BRITISH COLUMBIA
| LUNG ASSOCIATION
Box M009, Stahon DD
Vancouver, B.C, V6i 4M2
(Advertising spuce donared by thi publication) if

‘

BC Forest Service

children.

None of the bands had that
many, but put together they
added up to more than 800
and thereby also qualified
for 100 per cent federal
backing.

“This is a giant slep in
terms of these eight First

Nations communities,”
Smith — said. “We have
found some common

ground in looking at one

4702 Lakelse Ave.
Terrace
Ph: 635-6302

Where goed
food brings
the family

h together?

ADAP Digable pty)

Camping Fees

Starting April 1, 1999, a camping pass is
required for all overnight camping at Forest
Service campgrounds, except at a limited
number of campgrounds where an enhanced
service fee is required,

Camping Pass

» Annual camping pass — overnight camping
for one year— $27 ($22 seniors’ rate). .

« Single night camping pass ~ overnight -
camping for a single night — $8. .

Camping passes are available from government

agents, various vendors throughout the province,
and some on-site service contractors.

Enhanced Campground Fee
Anenhanced campground fee of $10 per night
will be charged and collected at campgrounds
that provide additional services, such as security
or ‘higher levels of maintenance.

Campers with an annual camping pass will pay -
-a discounted rate of $5 per night,

- For more information on camping passes and
“enhanced campground fees, please call your
local Ministry of Forests office, or visit the
Ministry of Forests’ website at ws
http://www.for.gov.be.ca.

' Note: Forest Service camping fees are ) separate
from BC Parks fees,

he BRITISH
= COLUMBIA

Ministry of Forests

aspect of ovr communities
that needed to be ad-
dressed.’’

The Nisga’a already have

a Similar agreement in place.

and the Gitksan to the east
are in negotiations..

Bands that sign treaties
with self-government com-
ponents can later on opt out
of the society and transfer
control to their = self

government operations.
MO Ee Af CAI gt totes

March Specials ‘ae

Sirloin Steak & Stuffed 4

Mushrooms Neptune ©
with side Caesar and Mediterranean pita

ory? 3

ae

~ Carson & Nauroth Ltd. is pleased to announce the

addition of Shane Norum as an Account Executive
‘to their tearm of professionals.

Shane has significant experience: in hand ling a variaty of commercial

accounts, including logging, mining, oilfield, commercial, industrial,

busingss liability and bonding, Shane welcomes any appontunity to
assist with any of your commercial i insurance requirements.

Carsan & Naurota Ltd. has been in business since 1956, We represent
many of the most stable, reputable and established insurers in tha
market and we offer.a broad variety of insurance products for all

personal, commercial and industrial needs. ,

EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE

CARSON & NAUROTH ‘

Phone (250) 564-4434 * Fax (250) 563-2787

1560 Third Avenue, Prince George BC V2L 3G4

CALL TOLL-FREE 1-888-564-4434

Joes Top. priority delivery of your new sled

NO SNOW FEVER?
WE'VE THE..

YAMAHA
N YO SNOW CURE

Place a deposit* on your new Yamaha Snowmobile
beforé April 15, 1999 and you will receive:

Plus‘ your choice of:
One Blue ’3-in-1” Racing Jacket

or Our “No Snow Cure” rebate*

~. (Warth up to 100% of your purchase price based on snowfall accumulations,*}
* See Dealer For Complete Details

Revver Qi @ YAMAHA

Ken’s Marine
4946 Greig Ave., Terrace 635-2909

¥ Mon-Thurs

& Saturday
9:30 -6
Friday
9:30 - 9