The Ma Mow We Tak Friendship Centre is well respected in Thompson and surrounding communities. What many people don't realize is that it is seen as a model centre throughout Canada.

I recently had the opportunity to once again attend the Ma Mow We Tak Annual General Assembly. The centre has come a long way since it was founded in 1976.

Today the centre offers 18 separate programs and services and meets the needs of all ages, from youth to elders.

Nothing symbolizes the growth of Ma Mow We Tak more than the fact that the day after the annual assembly it held a sod turning and ground blessing for the new friendship centre. The existing centre will continue as a hostel with the new centre providing a dedicated home for the Ma Mow We Tak.

I have always been a strong supporter of the centre. What has always struck me is the degree to which the centre has partnered with so many governments, departments and agencies and the community to provide needed services and programs. It has developed a lot of credibility over the years.

A lot of the success of the centre is the result of the dedication of its staff and board of directors. Executive director Anita Campbell and the staff at the centre have earned a great deal of respect both here in the North and across the country.

As MLA for Thompson I would like to thank the centre for its work. I look forward to the opening of the new centre next year.