Local family services organization recipients of $10K Surerus community fund grant

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A local non-profit committed to family services within the Indigenous community received a huge boost in funds courtesy of Surerus Pipeline.

The Nenan Dane Zaa Deh Zona (Nenan Dane) Family Services Society announced it was the recipient of the company’s community support fund on Monday, June 8th, from a Facebook post, receiving $10,000 courtesy of Surerus.

The society is committed to supporting Indigenous families navigating through colonialist family service systems through its programs, according to its website.

Nenan Dane administrator Hailey Testawitch “had some great connections,” and applied for the funding centred around the organization’s youth and cultural programming, according to executive director Derian Young

Young told Energeticcity.ca that her organization is grateful for the support from a local business.

“A huge thank you to Surerus for investing in us,” said Young. “[For] investing in our youth.”

While Young said that at this point the organization is “still nailing down” where funds will go, Nenan Dane is organizing cultural campouts throughout the summer.

Young did add a post-secondary exploration trip, where youth affiliated with Nenan Dane toured Vancouver and universities in the area, which is possibly where most of the money will go, as Nenan Dane hopes to make it an annual trip.

They toured campuses such as Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia and Emily Carr University of Art and Design, sampled some Indigenous cuisine, and became affiliated with Indigenous Services at the schools.

Young said as a result of the visit, two students have either applied or committed to schools in Vancouver to further their education.

“[We were] essentially engaging them,” said Young. “Our biggest thing is when you see yourself literally in the hallways, it’s much easier for you to see yourself there long-term.”

“Now they have those connections with Indigenous departments down there. They will feel much more confident when they get down there. That is something that we want to continue.”

Per its website, Surerus’ Community Support Fund provides financial assistance to community groups “who provide a necessary service that improves quality of life in the community.”

For more information about the Surerus Community Support Fund, see the company’s website. More details about Nenan Dane and its services can be found on the organization’s website or Facebook page.