British Columbia Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres

Alert Bay Recreation Association Elders

Objective
To provide partial funding to Elders for travel costs related to the Annual Elders Gathering.

Eligibility
1. Applicants are an Aboriginal Elder or recognized Aboriginal organization on behalf of Elders.
2. Only British Columbia residents are eligible.
3. Travel distance to the event is greater than 200 kilometers (one way, road distance only).
4. Applicants send in a completed application form.
5. Eligible travel costs are as follows: accommodations, transportation, meals, and other related travel expenses such as parking or taxi. Travel costs must be by the most economical means.
6. Applicants who have received an Elders Transportation grant in the previous two consecutive years are ineligible to apply this year and may apply the following year.

General Program Conditions
1. Applications must be accompanied by a cover letter indicating number of Elders planning to attend and a letter of support from a recognized Aboriginal organization, confirming financial need.
2. Applicants are eligible to receive funding up to a maximum of $1,000. Applications will be reviewed by a subcommittee and approved for funding based on factors including: distance away from the event, overall travel costs, regional representation, include individual Elders.
3. Only one application per fiscal year per organization will be approved.
4. The BCAAFC is not responsible for any expenses incurred prior to the applicant receiving a written confirmation of approval.
5. Previous Elders Transportation or other provincial grants to the applicant and/or Aboriginal Organization must be accounted for or the applicant may be ineligible for funding.
6. If actual travel expenses are less than the $1,000 advanced, the difference must be repaid.

After the Conference
Funding recipients must submit a report within 30 days of travel to the BCAAFC which includes a brief summary listing names of Elders who attended the event and financial summary of actual travel costs

Deadline For Proposals
Completed applications will be accepted from April 1st, 2008 to the closing date is June 15th, 2008.

Proposals should be submitted to:
Attn: First Citizens Fund Administrator
BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres
#200 - 506 Fort St
Victoria, BC V8W 1E6

Phone: (250) 388-5522
FAX: (250) 388-5502

 32nd Annual BC Elders Gathering
July 7, 8, 9th 2008 (with early registration on July 6th, 2008)

Host: Kaien Island Elders

Address: PO Box 22092, Prince Rupert, BC, V8J 4P8

Phone: (250) 627-5723 or 1 866-622-6180 Fax: (250) 627-5724

Elders Gathering Coordinator-Darlene Wolfe Phone: (250) 627-5723 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

The 32nd BC Elders Gathering will coincide with the 50th Anniversary of the founding of Friendship House in Prince Rupert.  The Kaien Island Elders last hosted a BC Elders Gathering in 1992.  The registration forms will be posted on the City of Prince Rupert website: http://www.princerupert.ca/erupert/sept/main.html

Its recommended if your planning to travel, that you book your hotels early: http://www.tourismprincerupert.com/placestostay

The Cowichan 2008 Spirit Pole will also be arriving in Prince Rupert during the Elders Gathering on Tuesday July 8th: http://www.cowichan2008.com/cultural_program/cowichan_story_pole.html  Keep tuned into the Elders Gathering and "As the Totem Travels" by checking the BCAAFC website www.bcaafc.com

To receieve a copy of the registration form as a PDF  file please lick HERE .

To receive information about Conference Coordinators request for sponsorship or donations please click HERE to access the PDF  file.

For Elder's Groups looking for other potential funding sources please feel free to click on the link below:

Other Potential Funding Sources for Elder's Groups 

Please note that in order to download the application you will need Microsoft Word available at www.microsoft.com .