The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Jonathon Naylor Editor Area young people could know later this month whether the Flin Flon Community Youth Resource Centre is reopening its doors. Officials expect to know within three weeks whether the youth centre meets new criteria for a federal funding program that was recently reinstated. 'Until we see what the changes are, we're really in limbo,' said Shelly Craig, executive director of the Flin Flon Aboriginal Friendship Centre, which operated the youth centre. Located in the lower level of the Lutheran Church, the youth centre closed in June after Ottawa froze funding for the Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth (CCAY) program. CCAY funding is again flowing, but Friendship Centres are still sifting through the new terms to determine which projects quality for support. Craig said the restoration of CCAY is a positive step, but she is not getting too excited until she learns whether the youth centre can receive aide. If funding does come through, it remains possible that the youth centre will reopen at its former church-basement location. With that in mind, Craig has contacted the church to see whether it would again lease the space. The matter was to be brought up at a church meeting. The rebirth of CCAY was announced by John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. Through an e-mail and letter-writing campaign, at least 75 residents had called on Duncan to restore CCAY funding. In a news release, Duncan said the government's goal with CCAY is to equip young aboriginals 'with the skills and experiences they need to participate more fully in Canada's economy.'
