Reception Honors Native American Club Movement
Over 100 Native American Club professionals attended a reception in honor of Boys & Girls Clubs in Indian Country on Wednesday, May 3, 2006. Hosted by FirstPic, Inc., the reception took place the evening before the kickoff of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Conference in Boston, MA.
Ron Gurley, Chairman of the Native American National Advisory Committee emceed the event. After a traditional prayer, Laine Nelson, 2006 Youth of the Year from the Boys & Girls Club of Aha Macav, AZ was recognized. Laine took part in conference events throughout the week.
Glenn Permuy, Senior Vice President of Boys & Girls Clubs of America and a long-time supporter of Native Clubs, presented the 2006 Service to Native American Youth award to Janice Randall. Janice, Chief Professional Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tahlequah, OK oversees eight Native American Clubs serving over 5,000 children. She began working with the Boys & Girls Club in 1996 as a volunteer; since that time she has taken on various roles in the Club, and was named Chief Professional Officer in 2003. Under her leadership, three new sites are scheduled to open in the next year.
Later in the evening, a video highlighting the Native American Club Movement from 1992 to today was presented. The Penobscot Singers from the Penobscot Nation Boys & Girls Club, ME also performed for the group. The crowd enjoyed watching the drummers and dancers and learning more about the history and culture of the Penobscot Nation.
Mike Guilfoyle, FirstPic, Inc. presented two awards for special initiatives. Martha Bridges, Boys & Girls Club of Fort Peck, MT, was named Outstanding Program Coordinator for the National Native American Mentoring Program. Dennis Kelley, Boys & Girls Clubs of Tahlequah, OK, received the Outstanding Program Coordinator for the T.R.A.I.L. Diabetes Prevention Program. In addition, an announcement was made that the Indian Health Service has funded an HIV Prevention Pilot program in 10 Club sites. Pilot sites include: BGC of Scottsdale, AZ; Kickapoo BGC, KS; Penobscot Nation BGC, ME; BGC of the Three Affiliated Tribes, ND; BGC of Tahlequah, OK; Pueblo of Pojoaque BGC, NM; and Tulalip BGC, WA. The program will be implemented in the Clubs this summer.
Boys & Girls Club members, staff, board members, and BGCA National staff spent the rest of the evening meeting one another, catching up with old friends, and sharing stories and ideas. The following day, Boys & Girls Clubs of America celebrated its 100th birthday with the opening of the 2006 National Conference. The Native American Club initiative was referenced during the opening session.
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