Thunderbird House seeks donations to help with funding shortfall

Winnipeg's Thunderbird House is turning to the public for financial help as it deals with a budget shortfall while also seeking ideas for its future.

The non-profit indigenous cultural and spiritual centre, located on Main Street and Higgins Avenue, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $100,000. It has received about $1,800 in donations to date.

"While we are working hard to secure funding for Thunderbird House, we too have been hit by funding cuts," a description on the GoFundMe page states in part.

"We provide these services to the community with no core funding or operational support. While we continue to seek funding for programming, we know that we must work toward self-sustainability."

Michael Champagne, who recently joined the centre's board of directors, says the government funding it receives is not enough to fund the cultural programs and events it wants to host.

"We also want to ensure that we can support the ceremonies and the services that Thunderbird House currently provides, such as a variety of ceremonies inside the building as well, and there are several annual events that happen," he told CBC News.

The GoFundMe campaign page notes that Thunderbird House faces some challenges, including a list of much-needed building repairs and upgrades.

"We need the community’s help to repair and maintain this beautiful building, and to continue to provide these critical services," it said.

Public meeting to be held today

Meanwhile, Thunderbird House officials will host a public meeting on Friday morning as it looks for input on the operation's future.

The centre has served Winnipeg's aboriginal community for the past 15 years with a sweat lodge, counselling programs and traditional ceremonies.

Champagne said many people turn to Thunderbird House for support.

"Once Winnipeg has a thriving urban indigenous community, then I think that will be a very strong indicator that we, as Winnipeg, have been able to take this criticism of being the most racist city in Canada and flipped it on its head," he said, referring to Maclean's magazine's controversial cover story from earlier this year.

It's not the first time Thunderbird House has encountered financial troubles. In December 2012, staff warned that the centre may have to close due to a funding shortfall.