â–º Listen Live

New personnel at Native Friendship Centre

Two new faces are onboard at the Lloydminster Native Friendship Centre.

The new executive director is Patsy Waskewitch from Onion Lake. As well they are introducing Mackenzie Durocher as the youth coordinator.

Waskewitch is three months on the job. She has family ties by marriage in the Poundmaker First Nation and hails from the North Battleford area. She says it gets very busy at the Native Friendship Centre with the influx of people and as well the administrative work.

One the issues they battle with is funding. Waskewitch says they are thankful for the support of Alberta Native Friendship Centre.

“They do provide funding for some of our programming like our youth centre. We have the student support learning program that is new this year and that is geared for our high school students.”

The coordinator for that program works with the students. They seek to find out the barriers to youth graduating from high school. Waskewitch says trauma in the lives of the youth is a concern.

For Durocher who started her youth work in May, she has hit the ground running with their after school programs to the end of June. Summer camps are being fine tuned for July. She is originally from Dore Lake in northern Saskatchewan and lives with her family in Maidstone.

Lloydminster Native Centre June 21st events. [Photo: Lloydminster native Friendship Centre, supplied]
The centre is prepping for several activities for June 21, National Indigenous People’s Day. Durocher is keen for youth involvement.

“We are going to be hosting some youth activities which are going to range from arts and crafts to street games and block party game activities like lawn games and stuff like that set up.”

June 21st will be the first big event for the new administrators at the centre. They will be blocking off the section of 46th Street between 49th and 50th Avenue that they share with the Halls Holme Seniors residence as several of their neighbours will be there to partake in the activities which start from noon. They will be setting up a stage and as well a market area for local artisans.

Waskewitch says they will have powwow singers, drummers and dancers as well as a band and local jiggers. She celebrates the teamwork of their community and the volunteer spirit that she has witnessed firsthand.

“In the three months that I have been here, I’ve noticed how people come in and clean and do stuff. And they take pride in this building and that makes me feel really good.”

The Lloydminster Native Friendship Centre is inviting everyone to be a part of the celebrations on June 21st. More information on their programs and summer camp is available on their website and social media.

Gerry Lampow
Gerry Lampow
Gerry has lived in Lloydminster since winter 2010. That detail is important as coming from the Caribbean he did not see green grass until May. Now an Alberta/Western Canada resident, you would be hard-pressed to find a stronger proponent of Lloydminster than the news guy that appreciates a healthy dose of rock music and dress code leather. His mantra is focus on one thing and do it well.
- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Lloydminster RCMP seek help to find missing person

Lloydminster RCMP are asking for your help to find 45-year-old Jennifer Dillon. Jennifer was reported missing on June 28, 2025. Her family have not heard from her in the last couple months and are concerned for her well-being.

LRHG seeks board member

It's a chance to use your talent and give back to the community where housing needs are concerned as a board member-at-large with the Lloydminster Region Housing Group (LRHG).

Heat Warning in effect for Lloydminster and area

Heat Warning - Temperatures reaching 29 degrees Celsius combined with overnight lows near 14 degrees Celsius are expected for the next 2 days.

Have your say in Lloydminster Budget 2026 priorities

With themes like Engage Today - Shape Tomorrow, Investing in a Sustainable Future, and Your Tax Dollars at Work, the City of Lloydminster is inviting you to chime in on the next municipal budget.

Lloydminster spending $150K to get housing projects shovel-ready

Lloydminster City Council is devoting $150,000 to get emergency, transitional, social and affordable housing projects ready to proceed.
- Advertisement -