RADF Investment: $272,330

Other Investment: $50,062

Total Investment: $322,392

Project Period: February 2009–October 2011

T: 780.423.3138

Project Description

The Alberta Native Friendships Centres Association (ANFCA) has initiated an innovative program called Common Ground. This new program is an Aboriginal relationship plan and tool kit that helps facilitate relationships between local municipal governments and local Aboriginal groups to address community-based needs. Once completed, Common Ground resources will be made available to Aboriginal groups or governments across the province. High Prairie, Slave Lake, Red Deer, and Rocky Mountain House serve as pilot communities for Common Ground with the possibility of expansion to other regions in the province.

Based on the Medicine Wheel model, the process has four steps:

1. Exploring issues (listening)
2. Identifying shared interests or priorities (learning)
3. Creating options (planning)
4. Committing to agreements or relationships (doing)

Expected Outcomes and Benefits

All projects go through a selection process to ensure they will improve the quality of life for Albertans. This project meets this objective through the following outcomes and benefits:

• Increase communications and enhanced relationships between local governments and Aboriginal populations
• Increase training and certification for Aboriginal Economic Development Officers
• Develop relationship plan for the 4 pilot communities
• Create Common Ground Facilitator’s tool kit
• Create a unique relationship-building framework for Aboriginal groups and municipalities
• Address issues that often cause Aboriginal groups and municipalities to abandon efforts to reach agreements and act on community priorities