Family Preservation Centre South Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, November 2, 2023
Story & Photos by Todd Eagle Child, Communications Officer
Blood Tribe Communications & Community Engagement
Blood Reserve families will now have a new program centre to utilize Kainaiwa Children’s Services Corporation’s services (KCSC) called the Family Preservation Centre South “AISPOMMOTSIYAO’P” (Helping one Another). A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Thursday, November 2, 2023, and a grand opening is set for Friday, November 3, 2023, for the public. The Family Preservation Centre South has been newly renovated from the old Tall Timber Bus Coop West of Cardston into a brand-new state of the art Family Resource Centre, which includes a facilitation room, two indoor playgrounds, kitchen, sensory rooms, and areas for play therapy. Outdoor playground and basketball courts are under construction and set to open next summer 2024.
While the centre will provide Blood Tribe families with the opportunity to socialize in a safe environment, it will also include Family Programs such as Cultural sessions, Traditional Parenting Programs, and Equine Assisted Learning (EAL). The Youth Programs the Family Preservation Centre will facilitate are an After School Program, Boys and Girls Club and Peer support groups. Another Family Preservation component is for supervised visits and in-home supports.
The Family Preservation Centre is the second in four centres that have been in the vision of the KCSC’s Blood Tribe Grandparents who have always envisioned Family Preservation Centre locations in the four main communities on the Blood Reserve. The first centre is located in Standoff, and now in Moses Lake and in the works is Levern and Old Agency.
“The Blood Tribe Grandparents sat us down and repetitively told us ‘This is the vision, there will be tough times coming up, but here is the vision, keep looking towards the vision of bringing back our parenting skills and keeping families together, family preservation, because that is a part of our culture and traditions, it is our language, spirituality and extended family and our values around Kainaysinni,’ they provided the vision of the four centers,” said KCSC Chief Executive Officer, Shannon Soop.
The Family Preservation Centre’s objective is to facilitate the grandparents traditional parenting skills and family enhancement through prevention and early intervention services, combined with traditional cultural and evidence-based practices will provide a unique approach to learning.
“I think it’s really important that we take a hard look at each of the communities and what we’re all about and some of the strengths that we have,” says Blood Tribe Councillor and Public Service Committee Member, Marcel Weasel Head, “I think it’s important that we also highlight these initiatives that are important in our community in what we can do to provide the best services we can for our kids, I think this is a good start.”
The grand opening for the Family Preservation Centre is set for Friday, November 3, 2023, it starts at 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Everyone is welcome and those in attendance will be treated to a meal, short sessions, and program information. The centre is located on Hwy 5-123 1st Ave. Cardston or West of Cardston north off the Waterton Highway. For more information call Kainaiwa Children’s Services Corporation at 403-737-2900.
KCSC Family Preservation Center’s game room, November 2, 2023.
KCSC Family Preservation Center’s two indoor playgrounds, November 2, 2023.
Blood Tribe Councillor and KCSC Committee member, Floyd Big Head addressing crowd at the Family Preservation Centre on November 2, 2023.
Blood Tribe Councillor and KCSC Committee member, Marcel Weasel Head speaking at the Family Preservation Centre on November 2, 2023.
KCSC Chief Executive Officer, Shannon Soop at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Family Preservation Center on November 2, 2023.
Blood Tribe Councillors and KCSC Committee members Floyd Big Head, Maria Russell, Tony Delaney, Rose Fox, Jim Corry (ISC) and Marcel Weasel Head at the Family Preservation Centre ribbon cutting ceremony on November 2, 2023.
