In 2004 we did a survey of the aboriginal community. We surveyed 400 bands, individuals, chiefs, etc., and we asked whether they were interested in aboriginal 4-H. The response rate was 98% yes. It was very positive in that regard, so through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada funding we introduced a pilot program in six provinces. We were introducing 4-H to the aboriginal community. In 2008 the Saskatchewan 4-H Council experienced the only growth in 4-H across the country, and it was exclusively due to aboriginal 4-H programming.
There is a significant commitment right now from provincial governments, especially in the west, and certainly Nova Scotia is a province that is interested concerning aboriginal 4-H, but there are two problems. Of the two roadblocks we experienced in terms of aboriginal 4-H, number one is cost. Aboriginal 4-H members find it difficult to provide $50 for an annual membership fee. I find that hard to believe, but it is a fact. The second thing is there is no history of volunteerism in the aboriginal community. As a result, there is a cost element with regard to needing dedicated staff. In each province through our program, we have had one or two dedicated staff working with 4-H members, training the young adults--there are a lot of young parents in the aboriginal community--and teaching them how to be volunteer leaders. That's going to be a generational thing.
We're currently in the process of trying to reintroduce the aboriginal program through federal funding, and that would be a partnership with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. We are having some difficulties in that regard concerning sourcing the money. I really can't speak more to that, because right now it's in the hands of the department, but I know there is difficulty getting money out of INAC. That would be huge for us to continue the programming because there is a market for young people to really make an awful lot of things out of their lives. Certainly we have the youth organization contacts, Scouts, Guides, National Association of Friendship Centres. I would love to see a 4-H club in every friendship centre in urban centres in Canada because they have the infrastructure. They have the buildings etc., and there is an awful lot of opportunity there.