Cultural site for the Aboriginal community of Val-d’Or
Kamamadjisek Exposition
Gabriel-Commanda Walk
National Aboriginal Day
Mëmëgwashi Recognition
MANDATE
The Special Projects initiative aims to add or develop new services with term, in order to meet specific Aboriginal needs while respecting Aboriginal values and culture and generating profits.
OBJECTIVES
• Develop new profit-making activities.
• Meet the immediate needs of the Aboriginal community.
• Develop new partnerships and improve relations between Aboriginals and non-Aboriginals.
ACTIVITIES
• To give the Val-d’Or Native community a cultural site close to 
nature for the practice of traditional activities, to serve as a teaching place and for the cultural heritage.
• Kamamadjisek Exhibition: Travelling exhibition of historic photographs on the Algonquin people.
• The Gabriel-Commanda Walk: Annual walk for the elimination of racial discrimination.
• National Aboriginal Day: Annual event celebrated on June 21 that promoted the richness of First Nations peoples and cultural diversity.
• Mëmëgwashi (butterfly) Recognition : Annual Award Ceremony underlining the academic achievements and personal strengths of Aboriginal students from the MRC Vallée-de-l’Or .
TARGETED CLIENTELE
General public.
FUNDING
Certain special projects at the Val-d’Or Native Friendship Centre are financially self-sufficient. However, other projects need financing.
BACKGROUND
Special projects have always been a part of the Friendship Centre’s history. The Friendship Centre has always endeavoured to meet the needs of its native members and create special opportunities to communicate with the non-native population. Memorable occasions such as the Nitahigan dinners & entertainment, the baseball tournaments, the “Convergence of Economic Prospects” Symposium, and many others illustrate how the Friendship Centre was able to develop organizational skills in the preparation of special “native cultural” events.
SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES
Special projects are under the Project Manager’s responsibility.
