Faces of FCSS Janice
Janice Auger,
FCSS Coordinator,
Municipal District of Opportunity No. 17
I started my role within the MD in 2020. Since then…..
What have you learned in your role with FCSS?
I have learned that community needs are vary and can be complex at times. I have also learned that people love what FCSS has been doing with a variety of teachings that we have been able to bring forward with Indigenous Cultural heritage in our region, which is predominately Indigenous, we should be a specialized municipality too because of the work we do as well.
I did a lot of networking when I first began and heard about AHS Honouring Life Indigenous Wellness Core fund. Supervisor suggested I meet with an Elder to talk about what type of activities should be brought forward to help reduce risk of suicide amongst our people. All the activities (a long list by the way) was to revitalize Cultural teachings: Birch Bark Canoe Making, Snow shoe making, Cree Language, Mukluk and Moccasin making, Moose Hide tanning, plant identification, fur mitt making, netting/fishing, filleting and preservation of fish/meat, trappers camps, Ribbon skirts/shirts, drumming, drum bags, ceremony.
What I have learned so far from connecting with Elders/Knowledge Keepers and bringing these teachings forward is that there is so much more to add to this list, it is amazing the teachings continue, from one tree, there is like five to ten things to know about that particular tree and what the properties of it are and this knowledge was shared orally amongst Indigenous people.
So, I was excited with the list and applied for the fund with Honouring Life. Received word in March 2021 the team wanted to work with FCSS to fund and deliver the activities to help promote life. The fund was suicide prevention based but “Honouring Life” wording was used.
With this amazing fund FCSS provides a space for cultural heritage learning, skill and confidence building, and most importantly a space at the annual cultural days for belonging and being proud of identity.
It has become an honour to help revitalize some of the teachings with the help of our amazing
Elders/Knowledge Keepers/Those who know in the MD of Opportunity Region and from this great funder now known as Primary Care Alberta, Honoring Life. We also could not have done this important work without the help of the Indigenous Wellness Core team that supports communities across Alberta with this grant.
How has your life experiences helped in your role?
I lived in a community that had an FCSS office and saw great things happen from that office. My first experience at a Directors Network Conference made me think… “Wow, this group of people are helpers of communities and I wanted to be part of it all too!”
Why did you get involved in FCSS?
I heard about the job and I was lucky to get it!
Faces of FCSS
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FCSSAA
The Family and Community Support Services Association of Alberta (FCSSAA) was founded in 1981, as a member-driven organization dedicated to bringing Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) programs from across the province together. We provide the platform for our member programs to connect and collaborate, so they can maximize resources and speak with an informed, credible, unified voice to all stakeholders.
