VERNON – The First Nations Friendship Centre in Vernon says it has had to make staffing cuts because some key federal funding is late.
The centre says it would normally have about half its funding for the fiscal year from two federal programs by now, but it hasn’t seen a cent.
Wilson said as a result, it’s made planning more difficult for the centre and meant it has had to reduce its staff.
The staff cuts have hurt the centre’s youth programming.
It is not just the friendship centre in Vernon that is feeling the pinch. The B.C. Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres says centres across the country are facing the same issue. The association says some have laid of staff while others have taken out loans to continue operations.
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The association says it doesn’t know yet when the money for these programs might start to flow again.
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) doesn’t disperse the funding in question directly to individual friendship centres instead the funds come to individual centres via their national association.
“INAC is ready to flow funds once the National Association of Friendship Centres’ 2016-17 work plan, budget and contribution agreement are finalized. A revised plan was just received and the department is reviewing it,” wrote an INAC spokesperson in an emailed statement.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Friendship Centres says it is working with INAC to get its work plan approved.
In Vernon, if nothing changes by the end of the month, it could mean more staffing cuts.
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