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Long Lake Project.
June 29, 2005
LONG LAKE SUPPORTS SUMMER
EVENTS
One way the Long Lake Project benefits local communities is in
providing significant job creation and business development
opportunities. Another is by investing in grassroots initiatives that
help build community self-sufficiency and enhance the quality of life.
In the Anzac area, it’s going to be an event-filled summer – and the
Long Lake Project is providing monetary support to many of these
essential cultural activities. The largest of these is the National Dene
Gathering being hosted by the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation in Fort
Chipewyan July 31 to Aug. 6.
Chelsey VanEe (left) and Gladys Hopegood, Anzac residents who now
work for the Long Lake Project, pitched in as volunteers during the
recent school Penny Carnival.
“They’re expecting 1,500 or more visitors, including Dene leaders and
representatives from the prairie provinces, the Northwest Territories,
and from one of our local stakeholders, the Chipewyan Prairie Dene First
Nation,” explains Kristen Everett, Community Relations & Business
Development Specialist with Long Lake. “The purpose of this large
gathering is to discuss common issues that directly affect the Dene
people and territory as well to establish a grand council.”
Other Long Lake supported events this summer include the 2nd Annual
Metis Festival (held in July in Anzac by the Willow Lake Metis Local
#780), Annual Treaty Days celebrations of the Chipewyan Prairie Dene,
Mikisew Cree and Athabasca Chipewyan First Nations, a talent show in
Conklin on Aug. 20 and, of course, Anzac Daze on Aug. 19 and 20.
Supporting summer employment programs of the Fort McMurray First
Nation and the Conklin Local School Board is another key Long Lake
project initiative. With the Fort McMurray First Nation program,
students will first develop action plans and work toward acquiring
various tickets (i.e., H2S, WHMIS, First Aid) that will qualify them for
future work opportunities. With mentoring from a journeyman carpenter,
they will also assemble 10 school bus stops in the community.
“We are hoping that the students will gain an idea of what direction
in life they would like to have upon completion of this program,” says
director Joyce Dumais. “The youth of our community just need some
guidance and reassurance. With this summer project, I have confidence
that they will realize that their dreams can be accomplished.”
The Long Lake Project also participated in the Anzac Community
School’s annual Penny Carnival event on July 9. Two-hundred bags of
gooey candy floss were quickly scooped up and consumed by the children.
“The Penny Carnival was a great event to conclude another great year at
Anzac School,” says Stella Kreutzer, community relations assistant. “The
highlight, from a project perspective, was definitely taking the kids to
the construction site on the train at Christmas.”
