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Bradford team heading to northern Ontario for First Nations partnership

Funds raised in Bradford will go toward community programming in Mishkeegogamang
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Volunteers gather at Green Valley Alliance Church to prepare for a summer trip to Mishkeegogamang. Miriam King/BradfordToday

A team from Green Valley Alliance Church and the True North Aboriginal Partnership will be heading up to Mishkeegogamang this summer, thanks in part to the $4,200 raised at the National Indigenous Peoples Day dinner and auction held at the church in June.

The group is planning to head north to the remote First Nations community as it has regularly for more than a decade, said Paul Burston, founder and president of the partnership.

The funds raised at last month’s event will help support expanded summer programming.

The programs target mostly youth in the remote northern community, located near Pickle Lake, offering arts and crafts, sports and leadership training.

“And we offer them lunch every day,” said volunteer Christy Medeiros, who is heading north for a fourth year. “It’s been really amazing to see them, year after year” — to see children, initially shy and retiring, step up to play a leadership role for their younger siblings and neighbours.

It is all about mutual respect, sharing, and lending a hand when requested to help the First Nations community meet its needs.

Mike and Tina Burston will be going up north for first time.

Mike said he is not sure what his role will be, but he is hoping to share his musical talents with the kids of the community.

“Everyone pitches in. It’s a team effort,” said Medeiros.

This means not only building the northern community, which has made great strides in new housing and health care, but building ties with people who care in the south.

For more information, or to contribute to the summer program, contact Paul Burston at 289-383-6089 or [email protected].


Miriam King

About the Author: Miriam King

Miriam King is a journalist and photographer with Bradford Today, covering news and events in Bradford West Gwillimbury and Innisfil.
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