Hay River (May 23/05) - Federal funding has been renewed for six youth programs in the NWT.

Operated by friendship centres, the youth programs closed March 31 with the end of the Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centre initiative.

It has now been renewed with $125 million nationally over the next five years.

"We're definitely happy about getting the funding," says Vern Jones, the executive director of the Soaring Eagle Friendship Centre in Hay River. "My only question is how much we are going to get."

Jones, who represents the North on the National Association of Friendship Centres, says contribution agreements have not been finalized between the government and three national aboriginal organizations.

However, he notes, $125 million was the same amount for the previous five years, so he is hopeful funding levels won't change.

Full operations

Eight Northern youth centres - six in the NWT, one in the Yukon and another in Nunavut - get $1.1 million in all. The renewed funding means the youth centres can go back to full operations, Jones says.

"Everybody is happy to hear the news. Now they can start planning again."

However, he notes the new funding probably won't begin to flow until mid-June.

Every NWT youth centre is trying to offer some programming with volunteers during the funding gap, he notes.

The affected youth programs in the NWT are operated by friendship centres in Hay River, Fort Smith, Inuvik, Yellowknife, Fort Simpson and Fort Providence.

At least 22 people lost their jobs in the NWT with the end of the funding.