A local charity organization has received national recognition.
Habitat for Humanity “On the Border” Lloydminster Society has been named the recipient of Canada’s Volunteer Award for the Social Innovator Category, in the Prairies.
The organization is being praised particularly for their efforts in the Elders’ Lodge project: it was Habitat for Humanity Canada’s first ever on-reserve build.
Habitat for Humanity is an international, non-profit, faith-based organization, with a mission to mobilize volunteers and community partners in building affordable housing and promoting homeownership as a means tobreaking the cycle of poverty.
The award was in recognition of the Elders’Lodge Project, Habitat for Humanity Canada’s first everon-reserve build. Habitat for Humanity Canada created the Aboriginal Housing Program in 2007 to assist in providing housing solutions for Aboriginal communities. Through the Aboriginal Housing Program, Habitat for Humanity Lloydminster and Flying Dust First Nation joined together to create a partnership called “A Partnership for Better Living: A Vision for More” that involved creating a ten-unit Elders’Lodge called “Kikinaw”, the Cree word for “Our Home” on Flying Dust First Nation reserve.
“It’s an honour to accept this award on behalf of Habitat for Humanity Lloydminster. This award was truly a result of many hard working individuals and communities. Chief Glaude and members of Flying Dust First Nation put in many hours of hard work to ensure this project was a success,” said Vivian Penally, Executive Director for Habitat Lloydminster.
“I would also like to thank the communities of Meadow Lake and Lloydminster, as well as Lloydminster Economic Development for nominating us for this award, and to Mayor Rob Saunders and Chief Richard Gladue for their letters of support as part of the nomination requirements. I couldn’t be more appreciative of everyone’s dedication to this project and I’m looking forward to the Key Dedication for the Elders’ Lodge on June 24.”
The National Awards Ceremony recognizes the enormous contributions of volunteers, non-profits, and businesses alike make to their communities, across the country. The ceremony took place June 8 & 9, in Ottawa, and Lloydminster’s Habitat branch received a $5000.00 regional award.