2008 National News Releases

Canadian Red Cross forging its future at AGM in Banff

Aboriginal partnerships to be celebrated at Welcome Ceremony

Calgary, June 20, 2008 – Members of the Canadian Red Cross are gathering in Banff, Alberta for the 99th Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Red Cross this weekend. Under the theme Forging our Future, the Board of Governors, volunteers, staff and members will meet June 20 to 22, 2008 at The Banff Centre. They will lay the groundwork for a new strategic plan to guide the Society’s services and programs into the next decade.

A welcoming ceremony will be performed Saturday morning by Aboriginal representatives from Treaty 7 to honour National Aboriginal Day. The ceremony will include traditional speaking, drumming and singing. During the past year Canadian Red Cross’ partnerships with Aboriginal communities across Canada have been strengthened through the work of Aboriginal outreach workers in Western and Atlantic provinces, and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Assembly of First Nations.

“For many years the Canadian Red Cross has worked in partnership with Aboriginal leaders to help create safe environments in Aboriginal communities”, says Shelley Cardinal, Aboriginal Consultant, Canadian Red Cross. “For example, Walking the Prevention Circle was developed in close collaboration with Aboriginal communities and examines the history and pride of Aboriginal peoples while exploring issues of interpersonal violence, abuse and neglect.”

In Southern Alberta, the Canadian Red Cross partners with the Aboriginal component of Calgary’s Coalition on HIV/AIDS on a groundbreaking program called the Tipi of Courage. The Tipi of Courage battles ignorance, stigma and misinformation about HIV/AIDS throughout Southern Alberta. Escalating statistics and the disproportionate number of HIV/AIDS infections among Canadian Aboriginals have demonstrated the urgent need for a community-based awareness initiative. Although Aboriginal people represent 3.3 % of the population, they comprised 9% of new HIV infections in 2005.

AGM schedule of events

For more information about the Annual General Meeting, visit www.redcross.ca.

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For information or to arrange an interview:

Colleen Lavender
National Director, Public Affairs
Cell: 613-850-3759

Posted June 20, 2008