Tla’amin Launches Recreation Reimbursement Program for Children and Youth
Tla’amin children and youth living on, and off-lands aged 0-18 years are eligible for subsidy.
August 22, 2024- Tla’amin Territory
On August 14th, 2024, Tla’amin Executive Council unanimously passed the č̓ɛč̓ɛgatštəm ʔəms čičuy (ch’eh-ch’eh-gat-shtum uhms chee-chooey) — ‘helping to support our kids’ Recreation Reimbursement Program Policy. The Policy provides financial assistance for Tla’amin children and youth aged 0 to 18 years of age to participate in sports and recreation activities.
“With rising cost of living parents are faced with tough choices,” said Hegus John Hackett. “Sports and recreation activities teach us important life lessons like teamwork, discipline, respect, and hard work. This program will remove one of the financial barriers to building the next generation of strong and self-determined Tla’amin citizens.”
The policy was first tabled for public feedback at the spring Tla’amin General Assembly on May 2, 2024, and was amended based on community feedback.
Executive Councillor and Community Services House post Dillon Johnson said “We heard loud and clear at the General Assembly that this program must apply equally to all Tla’amin citizens, so we amended it to make urban citizens eligible. This policy provides for equal, fair, and transparent funding of kid’s sport in our community.”
Funding provided under the č̓ɛč̓ɛgatštəm ʔəms čičuy program is for sport and recreation registration fees. The program operates on a first-come, first-served basis until the budget is exhausted. Secondary costs such as uniform, costumes, travel or equipment are the participant’s responsibility.
Under the policy, the maximum annual allowances for reimbursement are $300 CAD for children 0 to 6 years and $1,000 CAD for children 7-18 years old.
č̓ɛč̓ɛgatštəm ʔəms čičuy is aligned with Goal’s 10 and 12 of the Comprehensive Nation Plan to take care of Tla’amin čičuy, and it fulfills a commitment to develop and implement comprehensive recreation supports.
Community Services Director Losa Luaifoa said that while Tla’amin has always supported the sports and recreation endeavors of youth, this policy formalizes that decision making and makes it clear to all Tla’amin citizens what is available. “I want to thank all involved who helped make this happen. Tla’amin has always excelled in sport and recreation and this program will ensure that ʔəms čičuy can continue this proud legacy.”