The primary aim or Project Northern Alberta in its first year was to address, in some small ways, a lack of the necessities of life in one community in Northern Alberta, Cadotte Lake. In a second year, these same needs would be addressed there, as well as in different communities in Northern Alberta if other SSVP conference wanted to participate.
It was suggested that St. Theresa’s Conference take the leadership role since their members had some related experience through their work in shipping containers of essentials to various Arctic communities through the North of 60 Project. The first task was to determine needs. Local community volunteers/residents contacted other residents and asked them what types of help they needed in the areas of food, clothing, shelter, education and sanitation.
A list of community needs was given to the St. Theresa’s Conference. Through a Sharing Tree campaign, conference members gathered resources and delivered them to Cadotte Lake to be distributed by the local organizing committee to the resident in need.
This process was repeated in Phase 3, and we continued into Phases 4 and 5 by establishing personal relationships between members of each community, presenting and discussing ideas for development of their community, and assisting with the establishment of a Food Bank and a Clothing Exchange Bank managed by local residents.
Phase 6 continued to foster ongoing personal relationships between members of each community and assist with dealings with the Archdiocese of Grouard-McLennan. Phase 7 will rebuild what was lost during Covid: a new Food Bank, a new Clothing Exchange, a new Sewing Circle, and possibly access to a Mini Laundromat.
Unfortunately, the same needs are identified over and over again. People suffer on a daily basis because they lack the essentials most of us take for granted, and the situation is not improving for a variety of reasons. It is time for direct and immediate action from individuals and organizations with a passion for social justice. Through Project Northern Alberta we will continue to make a real difference in the life or our sisters, brothers and their children in a Norther Alberta community.
Maria Lupul
Outreach Coordinator
