By Jayson Black Kettle
The Siksika Nation donation program can help Nation members and their kids participate in sports such as hockey, offered by the Isspommihtaoyis- Support Centre.
Linda Little Chief, manager of the Siksika Support Centre, says that aside from supporting extenuating circumstances, the Support Centre’s donation fund helps with recreational activities, such as sports equipment, sports travel and more.
“It depends on the support requested — what it’s for. We ask for 30 days to review their request, whether it be a community event or a sporting event. Sometimes it’s a cultural conference, sometimes it’s travelling somewhere else for a sporting event,” said Little Chief.
Another criterion for travelling is that it is a last-resort fund, meaning the Support Centre asks for proof of additional fundraising that members have done to attend their events.
Colleen Two Horns handles all the support applications, responding and helping recipients with their documents before working with her team leader, Erica Melting Tallow, to allocate the funds to the recipient.
The sports activities that the Isspommihtaoyis funds are participation in tournaments, travel to sporting events and purchase of sporting equipment. They also fund educational activities, such as educational conferences, school trips, and school-related activities. In addition, they help with other costs such as fees, meals, and transportation to school conferences. They also provide the same support for cultural activities.
“We do not help with regalia, ceremonial-related costs or digital equipment to name a few,” said Little Chief.
The donation program is intended to be used once per year, but they acknowledge that youth are engaged in multiple sports throughout the year.
“It’s hockey in the winter, baseball in the spring, so typically some youth, it can be up to three sports per year depending on what they’re requesting,” said Little Chief.
The budget for their donation fund is $125,000 per year, meaning they have to take all necessary precautions to ensure the funds are allocated appropriately. Once funds are expended, sports, community and culture support cease until the next fiscal year.
“We’ve had a few parents who we helped with their hockey fees; they were very grateful. I’m not sure if they were thinking they were denied or not, but since I’ve been here, we’ve helped whoever has applied,” said Two Horns.
The Support Centre works in conjunction with Siksika Minor Sports. If you are looking for support, please ensure your children’s details are provided to their team managers; otherwise, it will present issues with allocating the funds.
