The Provincial Ministry of Children and Family Development provided the Band with $5000. Schuswap MLA George Abbot was in Enderby to present the cheque to Chief Gloria Morgan.

The band, RCMP and city are part of the BRCMP Restorative Justice Committee that is designed to identify and address policing issues. Const. Mike Martin, and Cpl. Bob Gobeil of the Enderby RCMP, Coun. Sue Brooks, Morgan and two youths from the band sit on the committee.

Morgan said some of the issues identified by the committee are related to traffic, Alcohol, drugs and education.

Traffic issues include speeding, safety and illegal use of dirt bikes. Many of the issues identified can be addressed through education of the offenders and community, she said.

While the committee looks specifically at issues affecting band members and the band community, Morgan said addressing the issues has an effect on the larger community as a whole.

The recent funding can be used for building community capacity for the band program, recruitment and training of volunteers, and establishing and maintaining relationships with other justice systems partners and community stakeholders.

"I would love to partner not only with the schools, but with youth probation and the RCMP," said Morgan.

She said the funding presents the opportunity for local youth to attend conferences or spend a day on the job with a justice worker such as a probation officer.

Such experience would not end there. Morgan wants to see such youth bringing information back to the community in the form of a presentation.

Any initiative will work to divert youth from destructive behaviors, lifestyles and choices, she added.