Dryden Friendship Center relieved with new funding

The Dryden Native Friendship Center is breathing a sigh of relief.

The federal government has come up with $168 million over five years for native friendship centers across Canada.

Karen Smith is the executive director of the Dryden center and says the funding is more than welcome.

“It covers everything from our hydro, to building maintenance to our receptionist,” explains Smith.

“So, if we didn’t receive this funding, we were expecting pretty significant cuts, which would dip into our program costs. This just keeps everything running smoothly for us.”

Smith adds that it’s important that this is a multi-year funding announcement.

“It’s a big thing. It hard going year to year. As an executive director, worrying about where we have to cut. We were looking at the potential of having to let go at least one staff…now we don’t have to worry about that, for at least five years…hopefully.

Smith says the funding was announced on Friday, but they still don’t know how much money they will be getting.