Officials celebrated the grand opening of a new Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation Child and Family Services office in Denare Beach on Tuesday.
“It’s a lot more homey,” says Mary Lou Harkiss, child and family and prevention worker with Peter Ballantyne Child and Family Services Inc. (PBCFSI) in Denare Beach.
Through PBCFSI, residents can access parenting classes, youth programs and prevention programs addressing issues such as domestic violence, addictions and bullying. PBCFSI offices are located in all seven PBCN communities.
“Our services are a little bit of everything,” Harkiss explains. “The prevention part is about providing knowledge to empower families to get over obstacles.”
Harkiss also refers people out to different agencies, such as CADAC, that can offer more specialized support.
She also collaborates with schools and organizations to bring in special facilitators from the community and further afield – like Inuk singer-songwriter Susan Aglukark, who led a workshop on self-esteem at Creighton Community School last year.
In the past, the office in Denare Beach has offered workshops in traditional teachings and crafts like cradleboard making.
Harkiss says she would like to expand offerings in that area.
The new PBCFSI office, which is housed in a welcoming log building, was constructed in Prince Albert and brought to Denare Beach early in the year. It has been operational since April. The building includes two offices and a small boardroom, and is located next to the local band office.
Before the new building was constructed, Harkiss operated out of the band office. The privacy of the new office space makes a difference to residents who might be reaching out for support on personal issues, Harkiss explains.
“I have an open-door policy. I tell people, ‘Just come in for a coffee.’ Anybody can come in anytime to sit down with me, and it’s more of a relaxed atmosphere.”
Tuesday’s grand opening celebration also included a meeting of Peter Ballantyne chief and council and a community luncheon at the Denareplex, which featured a feast of bannock and pickerel prepared by Mary Ann Olson and Hilda Cook.
