News
Eenou-Eeyou Community Foundation Receives $75,000 Grant from RBC “Future Launch Community Challenge” for Youth Arts Development
The Eenou-Eeyou Community Foundation (EECF) is pleased to announce that we have been awarded a $75,000 grant from the RBC Future Launch Community Challenge. This grant will be used to support the “Uusdaadaouw: Let’s Build” project, in partnership with the Cree Nation Government, and the Cree School Board.
In partnership with the Cree School Board’s Mikw Chiyâm Arts Concentration Program, the Uusdaadaouw Project will fund five youth-led community art initiatives. From November 2019 until May 2020, five youth from Mistissini, Waskaganish, Chisasibi, Nemaska and Whapmagoostui will take on a leadership role in designing, developing and executing locally based community art projects. Each one focuses on sharing artistic expression and developing leadership through a home-grown Eeyou Istchee solution.
Students and faculty from five Eeyou Istchee communities gathered in Mistissini November 16th through 18th to celebrate, share, and launch the event. Workshops and formal presentations took place, and included the participation of RBC Vice President Louis-Philippe Lavigne as well as EECF President Tina Petawabano, Cree School Board Chair Sarah Pash, and Cree Nation Government Director of Social and Cultural Development Rodney Mark.
EECF President Tina Petawabano explains: “We’re very excited about this opportunity because it allows us to develop future leaders in the arts while they are still in their teens and close to high school-aged peers who are also interested in what the arts can offer them. These young leaders will help develop talent and at the same time, show positive models for success in the arts and in life.
“This is a great example of the work of the Eenou-Eeyou Community Foundation – raising and distributing philanthropic funding for Cree Nation charitable organizations and projects. We would like to thank RBC for its generous support for the Uusdaadaouw: Let’s Build project”.
L to R: Rodney Mark, Director, Department of Social and Cultural Development, Cree Nation Government, Tina Petawabano, President, Eenou-Eeyou Community Foundation, Louis-Philippe Lavigne, Vice President, RBC, Dr. Sarah Pash, Chairperson, Cree School Board, Katie Green, Executive Director, InPath–Mikw Chiyâm.