About Our Organization

We are a coalition of organizations and individuals dedicated to improving social economic conditions of urban Aboriginal People and the building of bridges with respect to Aboriginal culture and community.

Purpose:

The purpose of the Aboriginal Council of Lethbridge is to ensure that the services are meeting the socio-economic needs of Aboriginal People now and into the future. The basic challenge of the committee is the focus on social inclusion of Aboriginal people within the community, as well as providing a bridge between cultural differences.

Background:

The Aboriginal Council of Lethbridge was formerly titled the Aboriginal Interagency Committee which involved an informal coalition of agencies who serve the Aboriginal population in the city of Lethbridge. This group came together in response to providing community support and planning for Aboriginal families in the city who had difficult and complex needs. The adage, ‘It takes a whole community to raise a child’ was the basis for the continued support and existence of this committee. Other agencies began to join the coalition with very broad based issues surrounding community development and social inclusion. This committee became a forum to discuss issues facing our Aboriginal people in the city of Lethbridge. Their goal was to establish and solidify the bridges within the community. Lethbridge has an array of services that serve approximately 4,000 Aboriginal community members.

Some of these services have a specific Aboriginal clientele, while a majority have a broad base clientele but are focused on quality outcomes for the Aboriginal-specific clientele which it serves. The Aboriginal Council of Lethbridge was formed with the goal to serve and meet the needs of our Aboriginal people here in the Lethbridge community.

Mission Statement:

To unify and promote the efforts of community members and agencies in the enhancement and empowerment of the Aboriginal Population Vision Statement:
Aboriginal People are respected and integral members of our Community.

Our Focus

• Community
• Culture
• Social inclusion of aboriginal people

Our Services

• Funding
• Networking
• Education
• Promotion of culture and awareness
• Setting up community and rural networks

Core Values:

Meetings:

Committee will meet at least ten times per year, once per month, excluding July & August. Participants will take turns hosting the meetings and providing administrative services.

Membership:

Currently membership fees are under review

Major Projects:

• Social Housing in Action Committee links
• National Aboriginal Day Planning Committee
• Aboriginal Opportunities Initiative
• Urban Aboriginal Strategy