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Executive Director Ron Woytowich (left), Chief Tammy Cook-Searson and Kikinahk President Danielle Debruyne (submitted photo/Lac La Ronge Indian Band)
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Kikinahk receives $30,000 donation from LLRIB Internal Council

Jan 13, 2021 | 3:00 PM

A $30,000 donation to La Ronge’s Kikinahk Friendship Centre will ensure the Scattered Site Outreach Program and Extended Hours Program will continue to operate.

“It changed my mind totally because I was at that point where we seriously could not operate any further,” Executive Director Ron Woytowich said about the donation from the Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) Internal Council. As much as we need it, there’s only so much money we have. Quite frankly, this COVID is driving us nuts because we have staff who have to isolate. It’s not because they have COVID, but because somebody they know did and next thing you know they’re not allowed to come to work.”

While Scattered Site should be operational by this weekend after it undergoes a deep cleaning, he noted the budget was hit unexpectedly by having to hire additional workers to assist clients during the day. When he received a call by Chief Tammy Cook-Searson about the donation, Woytowich said it felt like a weight had come off his shoulders.

“It’s the nicest thing they could have done and it’s enough money to run until the end of March,” he said. “We’re right in the middle of arranging a deep clean of Scattered Site in order to use it again. Once that’s done, we should have enough staff to operate and have staff at the shelter 24 hours a day and provide all this extra food.”

The LLRIB released a public statement explaining the $30,000 can be used for Scattered Site, Extended Hours Program and for purchasing meals.

“Scattered Site provides an essential service for the most vulnerable individuals from our communities by providing meals and a warm place to gather,” the statement reads. “We are very pleased that this service is available for our band members. We’re very happy to be able to provide some support to these initiatives. We need to continue to work together to help those who need the support.”

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno

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