The executive director of Youth for Christ wants to chat with people who opposed public funds being directed to build an inner city youth recreation centre.

John Courtney's group came under fire by several aboriginal groups at a Winnipeg city council meeting Wednesday.

Giving government money to a faith-based organization that will operate in a primarily aboriginal neighbourhood was likened to a contemporary version of Indian residential schools.

'We can talk together and partner and learn.'—John Courtney, Youth for Christ

However, First Nations supporters of the project came forward, including the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, which argued that the work done by Youth for Christ with kids who are flirting with gangs and drugs far outweighs any concern over their religious values.

Council was divided on the controversial issue, which was discussed for more than six hours, before it was passed by a vote of 10-4.

As a result, the city will contribute $2.5 million towards the $11-million project, as well as the land at the corner of Main Street and Higgins Avenue.

"I've asked for a list of all those people that came here to do presentations against [the funding proposal] and I said I'd really appreciate their name, their role, their contact and I would love myself to initiate some dialogue with them to see where … we can talk together and partner and learn," Courtney said on the heels of the controversial decision.

Residential schools comparison unfair

He also called it unfair to put his agency in the same category as the church-run, government-funded residential schools that took native children from their homes to assimilate them into white society.

"You know what, what happened there wasn't Christian. Christians did it but it wasn't Christian," he said. "And to compare that with who we are, with our track record of 60 years in this community, I think that's an unfair shot."

'You know what, what happened there wasn't Christian. Christians did it but it wasn't Christian.'—John Courtney, Youth for Christ

The first residential schools were set up in the 1840s with the last residential school closing in 1996.

In June 2008, Prime Minister Stephen Harper offered a formal apology to former students of the schools, calling the institutions "a sad chapter in our history."

Courtney said the proposed 50,000-square-foot recreation centre, which will house an indoor skateboarding park as well as a performance-art studio and job-training centre, will be open to all youth.

The proposed facility has already received support from the federal government, which has agreed to provide $3 million.

Youth for Christ has already raised about $1 million in private funds and is about to launch a campaign to raise $4 million more, Courtney said.

He downplayed criticism that his group would try converting youth to Christianity at the centre.

"Proselytizing is one of those words that's attached to the radical side of religion," he said.

Nonetheless, the Youth for Christ website states: "As members of the Christian community, we will communicate to youth the life-changing message of Jesus Christ, showing concern for their whole person, and challenging them to become His disciples."

It adds, "Winnipeg's Youth for Christ ministry has a passion to reach the 60,000 young people in Winnipeg, as well as the youth in five surrounding areas, with the life changing message of Jesus Christ."

Aboriginal concerns ignored

Nahanni Fontaine, director of justice for the Southern Chiefs Organization, an advocacy group for First Nations people in southern Manitoba, was one of those who tried to convince councillors to vote against the plan.

'It's disheartening and it's incredibly frustrating. It really lends itself to whether or not we actually have a democracy at City Hall.'—Nahanni Fontaine, Southern Chiefs Organization

She said the concerns of the city's aboriginal people have fallen on deaf ears.

"It's disheartening and it's incredibly frustrating. It really lends itself to whether or not we actually have a democracy at City Hall," she said.

"It's just absolutely ridiculous. Anybody with true knowledge and respect for our people and a true understanding would never have voted in favour."

Fontaine said it's too early to say what aboriginal groups will do now, though she expects they will meet in the coming days to discuss it.

'A sham and travesty'

Meanwhile, the man who kick-started the firestorm said he will now turn his attention to helping the project happen.

In the days leading up to Wednesday vote, Pat Martin, the NDP Member of Parliament for Winnipeg Centre, lambasted Youth for Christ's request for public money.

He said their mandate made them unsuitable for taxpayers' dollars.

But Martin said he will honour council's decision.

"I maintain that the whole process was a sham and a travesty but now that it's a done deal, as the Member of Parliament for the area, I will do all I can to make sure that it goes ahead smoothly and hopefully meets the needs of the community to the best extent possible," he said.