The 35th NAFC AGM, hosted by the Saskatoon Indian and Metis Friendship Centre, was held July 11 - 14, 2006 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan at the Radisson Hotel.

Two-hundred and eighty one delegates from across Canada gathered to vote on Association business, elected new Executive Committee members and pass resolutions.

We are pleased to announce that the NAFC Executive Committee for 2006-2007 is:

2006 Resolutions
At the NAFC's 35th Annual General Meeting, there were eleven (11) resolutions submitted to the Resolutions Committee prior to the deadline on Wednesday, July 12, 2006 at 5:00 p.m.

The resolutions can be found here (pdf) 2006 Resolutions

Senate Update
At the 34th AGM held in Grande Prairie, AB, Helen Hudson-MacDonald, Northwest Territories; Winston Mcleod, Manitoba and Theresa Jenkins-Whiskeyjack, Alberta were accepted into the Senate.  This year, they were officially sworn in as members of the Senate.  A welcoming ceremony was conducted by Senator Dominique Rankin and Elder Louise Wawatie and the new Senators read their Statement of Intent and were presented with Eagle Feathers.

Acknowledgment was also made of Adeline Webber from Whitehorse, Yukon as a Life-Time member of the NAFC.

Senator Miriam Youngchief who has never officially taken the oath of the Statement of Intent was also included in the swearing in ceremony.

Future NAFC Annual General Meetings
At this year’s AGM, the membership accepted a resolution from a member Friendship Centre to host the 2010 AGM.  Future AGM’s are as follows:

2007 - Victoria, BC  
Hosted by the Victoria Native Friendship Centre

2008 - Quebec City, QC 
Hosted by the Regroupement des Centres d’amitie autochtone du Quebec (RCAAQ)

2009 - Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
Hosted by the Niagara Regional Indian Centre

2010 - Hinton, AB
Hosted by the Hinton Friendship Centre

Groovy Delegate Award
This year’s Groovy Delegate award was presented by the 2005 recipient Nathan Sack to Mr.  Sklyer Whitefish from the Battlefords Indian & Metis Friendship Centre in North Battleford, SK.

Past recipients of the Groovy Delegate Award are:

2002 - Jack “Rusty” Wilson, Vernon, BC
2003 - Nelson Mayer, Winnipeg, MB
2004 - Eric Ravenelle, Montreal, QC
2005 - Nathan Sack, Halifax, NS

17th Annual National Youth Forum
This year the youth forum had a delegation of 90 and 60 total votes.  Each day was opened and closed by AYC Elder Louise Wawatie.  Jason Albert from Saskatoon was this year’s Youth Forum host.

There were three workshops offered at the youth forum.  Workshops were originally intended to mirror the AGM and to provide more information to youth participants about the issues that would be discussed and provide youth more insight and knowledge on the processes that would be used during the AGM.  Today, the workshops and youth forum not only prepare the participants for the AGM, but now also attempt to address the current issues that Aboriginal youth face in their communities.

The workshops for this year’s forum were: HIV/AIDS Awareness; Youth Leadership Development and Crystal Meth Awareness.  A keynote speech outlining young leaders and their importance through the eyes of a mentor was given by Cindy Blackstock, Executive Director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada.

The Keynote Closing Speech was given by Nadine Gagne who is a role model from the National Role Model Program at the National Aboriginal Health Organization in Ottawa.

Gary Merasty, Liberal Member of Parliament for Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River in Saskatchewan provided opening and welcoming remarks on the first day of the youth forum.

The Annual Volleyball Tournament was another huge success which saw Manitoba regain their championship title at this year’s tournament.  There were a total of 6 teams who participated including a team of the NAFC national office staff. 

The youth forum concluded with the passing of the AYC feather onto the newly elected President Sean Vanderklis by Alexis Wawanoloath.

Conclusion
On behalf of the NAFC Board of Directors and national office staff, we want to thank everyone who assisted to ensure the AGM was a success - our Elders, Senate, volunteers, delegates, observers and guests who graciously let their names stand to assist with the AGM committee work; the exhibitors, crafts people, workshop facilitators and entertainers.

A very special thank you to May Henderson, Executive Director and to the Board, Staff and volunteers from the Saskatoon Indian & Metis Friendship Centre.  Also to Ms. Leslie Paul for her great work as Master of Ceremonies at all the events.

See you in Victoria next year!!!!

National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) Holds Successful Annual General Meeting (AGM)

The 34th NAFC AGM, hosted by the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre, was held July 5 - 8, 2005 in Grande Prairie, Alberta at the Grande Prairie Inn.

Two-hundred and eighty one delegates from across Canada gathered to vote on Association business, elected new Executive Committee members and pass resolutions.

	Resolutions submitted at this year’s AGM
	Charts from modified world café sessions

We are pleased to announce that the NAFC Executive Committee for 2005-2006 is:

Vera Pawis Tabobondung, Ontario - President

Neslon Mayer, Manitoba - Vice President

Kama Steliga, British Columbia - Secretary

Gordon King, Nova Scotia - Treasurer

Ashley Norton, Saskatchewan - Youth Executive

New Senator appointments at this year’s assembly were:

Winston McLeod, Manitoba
Theresa Jenkins-Whiskeyjack, Alberta
Helen Hudson-MacDonald, Northwest Territories

An integral part of the Friendship Centre Movement, Senators are individuals who are recognized for representing a set of values which reflect past developments of the Movement. They are role models for the Friendship Centre Movement and help promote the Movement. There are currently 12 NAFC Senators.

Two new Life Time Members were also appointed:

Winston Menard, from Swan River, Manitoba

Adeline Webber from Whitehorse, Yukon

Both have volunteered and been actively involved in the Friendship Centre Movement at the local and provincial levels for over twenty years.

The 16th Annual National Youth Forum was also held prior to the NAFC 34th AGM on July 3-5, 2005. Elections were held for the Aboriginal Youth Council (AYC) Executive Committee for the following positions: President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. The AYC Executive Committee for 2005-2006 is comprised of the following individuals:

Alexi Wawanoloath, Quebec - President;

Jerry Daniels, Manitoba - Vice-President;

Joseph Dore, Alberta - Secretary;

Theresa Morris, British Columbia, Treasurer

There were approximately 80 youth in attendance representing their various Friendship Centres from across the country. An overwhelming fund raiser for the Youth Forum this year was the hair cutting event of our Vice-President, Nelson Mayer. Nelson, pulled out all his wrestling moves, and with a very active tag team, were able to raise approximately $15,000 towards the Youth Forum and AYC initiatives. Congratulations and a big Friendship Centre Movement thank you to Nelson, the youth delegates, and to everyone who made a contribution for a job well done!

Congratulations to Team Alberta on their mighty volleyball victory over the 5X Champions Team Manitoba. Can’t wait to see the rematch next year!

An ongoing tradition of the AGM has been The Groovy Delegate Award. This year, the Award was presented to Nathan Sack from Halifax, Nova Scotia. The award was established in recognition of individuals within the Friendship Centre Movement who are passionate, devoted to the Friendship Centre Movement; kind and considerate of others, and, who have a great sense of humour.

The award originated to honour Mr. Jack (Rusty ) Wilson. Past recipients of the Groovy Delegate Award are:

2001 - Jack (Rusty) Wilson

2002 - Nelson Mayer

2003 - Eric Ravenelle

2004 - Joseph Dore

Finally, words could never express enough, our thank you to the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre and their many volunteers for hosting such an excellent assembly. All your hard work is much appreciated. Also, thank you to this year’s AGM Coordinator, Kathy LaForge for a great job!

And last but not least, congratulations to the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre on its 40 year anniversary of providing services and programs to the community of Grande Prairie and surrounding areas.

See you all in 2006 in Saskatoon!

The AGM and National Youth Forum was held in conjunction with the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre’s 40th anniversary of operation.

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