Families at risk of becoming separated due to a variety of issues have a new opportunity to remain together.
In an effort to acknowledge the success of the program, a special celebration was held April 4 at the Howard Buffalo Memorial Centre in Maskwacis. For Chief Vernon Saddleback, Pewapan brings a vision of helping families with the greatest need to be empowered to stay together through preventative work.
“The idea of Pewapan was to just get some life coaches in the community, to assist those families that need that help,” said Saddleback.
There’s a range of family support agencies in Maskwacis steering the effort, which also includes Ponoka Parent Link (PLC) to assist with discussion. Parents took three months of in-depth education and practice with PLC.
The celebration was to give kids a fun day that was all about them.
Another effort of Pewapan is acknowledging there’s been a breakdown of some family units in Maskwacis. Saddleback pointed out that there’s issues in any community with a small portion of the population and that’s the same in this case. Some years ago chief and council, along with the community conducted a survey of needs in Maskwacis. What they found was a need to reconnect families.
It was this breakdown of the family unit that helped create Pewapan, which is meant as a preventative community endeavour. “It’s about bringing awareness to the people and let them know that you do have a say over your existence,” said Saddleback.
Add to that, the effort is intended to make the community a safe place to live.
Samson Cree Nation is supporting this project as a study for three years to see how it affects families. Saddleback’s hope is that money spent now on families will end up helping the community down the road.
“Hopefully this will help us keep our families together…enforcing, enriching and supporting our families,” he explained.
It could see regional change if the project succeeds.
“If this is successful here in Samson, and we’re doing good things, then how do we work regionally?” asked Saddleback.
He recognizes past issues within Maskwacis, another reason why there’s strong investment in Pewapan.
Coun. Larron Northwest, who’s also the chairperson of socio-economic development for Samson, feels this will help open doors for more people to get to know residents.
Northwest suggests the more that people get involved with Maskwacis such as at the pow wows or other events, the more they’ll understand the community. “They’ll learn more about our culture.”
He added that Pewapan is about pooling resources to create success for residents.
