On June 23, 2005, Frontiers Foundation celebrated the 41st anniversary of its Operation Beaver program. Operation Beaver began 41 years ago and has evolved into an aboriginal. independent. and secular voluntary service organization, working primarily on housing construction/renovation, and education projects. Over 3250 volunteers have participated in Operation Beaver projects building over 2150 homes across Canada, and taking part in more than 110 education projects cross the Northwest, Yukon and Nunavut Territories. In Haiti and Bolivia, much has been accomplished on a full range of sustainable development projects.
The celebration was held at the 40th Floor of the Royal Bank of Canada, where friends, supporters and past Operation Beaver volunteers were treated to a delicious breakfast. Steve Baranyai drummed the welcome song, followed by a prayer by Rev. Charles Catto. Our emcee Lawrence Gladue introduced our host Charles Coffey, Executive Vice-President of Royal Bank of Canada who commended the work done by our organization.
MPPs Marilyn Churley and Michael Prue praised the work of Frontiers Foundation. Marco A. Guzman Executive Director of Frontiers Foundation presented the 2004 Volunteer of the Year Awards to Ariana Hauck who spent ten months of volunteer work at Fort Smith, NWT as a tutor, assisting in the student residence and volunteering in the local high school. He also presented an award to a group of 15 volunteers who donated 635 hours to help Brian Whitmell's family completely rebuild their home at Jones Landing north of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Joining us in this year's celebration was Deputy Mayor Sandra Bussin as the Guest Speaker who thanked us kindly for the invitation and said it was a pleasure to be with us this morning. Sandra stressed the City's support for the wonderful work of Frontiers Foundation. As the Deputy Mayor, she brought greetings from Mayor David Miller and the members of the Toronto City Council. There is perhaps no better example of how Frontiers Foundation works with and for people than the recently completed Project Amik in Ward 32, Beaches-East York, her own community. How ironic that today Project Amik is still waiting for the federal government to waive the CMHC mortgage insurance fee, said the Deputy Mayor. In closing, Sandra Bussin urged those present to continue supporting Frontiers as they build on their legacy of 41 years of helping people.
Frontiers President Lawrence Gladue thanked Iolene & Olaf Bjornaa for the fish brought from Batchawana Bay, the cooks who prepared the delicious breakfast, to those who donated art work, crafts and different items for our silent auction and the entertainers of the morning, the Capoeira dancers for their impressive plus athletic performance. Until next year.