Submitted by Lucille Bell and Vince Collison--We are a strong committee of over twenty people who have worked very hard for nine years without core funding from Indian Affairs, like most of the other band programs.
We are not an unfunded program! We not only fundraise faithfully and receive great donations from Haida Gwaii, but also from the Gwaii Trust Society, National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation, Museums, Canadian Heritage, the First People's Foundation and others!
The Committee has gratefully worked under Old Massett Village Council's wing and has had a positive relationship with OMVC and the community for years.
Once the finances are sorted out we will see that Repatriation is one of the sustainable community programs and not the source of the problem.