Reflecting on Community Strengths
Grassroots News - January 2007
by Michelle Boivin
 In
my career, I have had the good fortune to support the efforts
of many social service organizations in the city of Winnipeg.
From
promoting programs and services to writing about the good
work being done at the community level, I have always been
in awe of the commitment and partnerships that exists in supporting
our children, youth and families.
Most
impressive to me however, is the degree of collaboration that
has been developed by many inner city and north end groups
throughout the years. Collaboration which has resulted in
the weaving together of a community led response to the challenges
we face collectively in an urban environment.
I
don’t know about the experience of other major urban
centers, but I have heard repeatedly that Winnipeg’s
Urban Aboriginal community is a leader in its capacity building
and strength based approaches to service delivery.
And
judging by the many organizations successfully working together
to build capacity, relationships and leadership on an individual,
family and community level, there appears to be much truth
to this claim.
Now,
for the most part, I have also observed that most, if not
all of these organizations are often too busy “doing”
to toot their own horns – which is where I like to come
in.
In
fact, through the sharing of personal stories of people whose
lives have been touched by a program or service, I have seen
great things happen. All of a sudden, people start to care.
Regular every day citizens begin volunteering their time.
Funders and business people come on board as part of a shared
vision of healthy families and communities. By touching the
hearts of people with stories of strength in the face of adversity,
a shared vision of hope and optimism is also created. People
become inspired to get involved and we begin to move forward
together as a community.
So,
as we begin this New Year, I think it is important for our
community to take the time to acknowledge with pride the many
people and organizations who worked together for the benefit
of us all in 2006. It was truly a remarkable year, brimming
with many achievements, community celebrations and exciting
new initiatives for Winnipeg’s Aboriginal community.
Here are a few notable mentions:
Aboriginal
Visioning for the North End of Winnipeg
Ma
Mawi, North End Community Renewal Corporation, Urban Circle
Training Institute, Native Women’s Transition Centre,
Ndinawe Safe Home, Andrews Street Family Centre, Community
Education Development Association, Winnipeg Education Centre,
Winnipeg Foundation, United Way of Winnipeg
Circle
of Life Thunderbird House – Friday Evening Community
Sweats
Ma
Mawi, RBC, Kani Kanichihk, Southern Chiefs Organization, Wolseley
Family Place, Native Communications Inc.
Ma
Mawi’s Windy Hill Community Wellness & Learning
Centre (Set to open in 2007)
Coalition
of Community Based Youth; Andrews Street Family Centre; Native
Women’s Transition Centre; Rossbrook House; Ndinawemaaganag
Endawaad; Ikwe Widdjittiwin; MacDonald Youth Services; Oyate
Tipe Cumini Yape; North End Women’s Centre; Circle of
Life Thunderbird House; Community Education Development Association;
Broadway Neighborhood Community Centre; Winnipeg Boys and
Girls Clubs.
North
End Five Year Community Plan – 2006 – 2011
NECRC,
Neighbourhoods Alive, North End Housing Project, CEDA, City
of Winnipeg, North End Safety Network, Adult Education Centre,
Education Development Systems, Mount Carmel Clinic, Aboriginal
Visioning for the North End, Ndinawe Youth Resource Centre,
Point Douglas Senior ’s Coalition, Ma Mawi, Andrews
Street Family Centre, Native Women ’s Transition Centre,
North End Women’s Resource Centre, Local Investments
Towards Employment (LITE), Indian Family Centre, Oyate Tipi
Cumini Yape, Elizabeth Fry Society of Manitoba, Urban Circle
Training Centre, Selkirk Avenue Biz, Mosaic Market Biz, Indian
& Metis Friendship Centre, William Whyte Residents Association,
North Point Douglas Residents Association, St.John’s
Residents Committee, Luxton Residents Association, Burrows
Residents Committee.
North
End Wellness Centre:
Ma Mawi, North End Community Renewal Corporation, Winnipeg
Regional Health Authority, YM-YWCA, Splash Daycare, John Loewen,
City of Winnipeg, Canada Manitoba Infrastructure Program.
Truly,
we are just beginning to see the tremendous potential of real
and lasting partnerships. And when we work together from a
shared vision of health and well-being, the synergy we create
as a community is remarkable. I can’t wait to see what
2007 has in store!
I
welcome all feedback and story ideas...Got a “story
to inspire”? Drop me a line at mboivin1@mts.net.
As
an Aboriginal woman, business owner and community organizer,
Michelle Boivin has worked to support the growth and development
of Winnipeg’s urban aboriginal community since 1997.
In her professional capacity, Michelle is President of Boivin
Communication Group Inc., a full service communication and
event planning company that specializes in providing creative
solutions for Aboriginal, not-for-profit and small business
groups across Canada – www.boivingroup. com.
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