SASKATOON, March, 6, 2015 /CNW/ - Maurice Vellacott, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon–Wanuskewin, on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, today announced support to the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies and the Saskatoon Health Region. Projects are aimed at addressing barriers to employment and helping to increase the participation of urban Aboriginal people in Saskatchewan's economy in the healthcare and waste management sectors.
The support being provided will help bring together governments, Aboriginal organizations, and the private and not-for-profit sectors in partnership to develop an Urban Aboriginal Regional Strategic Plan for Saskatchewan in a coordinated effort to better address the needs of urban Aboriginal people in the region. Additionally, it will encourage projects aimed at ensuring urban Aboriginal people across the province have the necessary skills and training for employment.
Funding is provided as part of our Government's Urban Aboriginal Strategy, which is aimed at increasing the participation of urban Aboriginal people in Canada's economy by developing partnerships and supporting initiatives in communities across the country.
Quick Facts
- The Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies is receiving $114,150 to develop strategies to increase the participation of urban Aboriginal people in the economy in the waste management sector.
- The Saskatoon Health Region is receiving $88,264 to develop and implement a framework and workforce policy to increase Aboriginal participation in the health care sector to 10 per percent within the Region.
- According to 2011 Census data, 56 per cent of all Aboriginal people in Canada live in urban areas.
- Cities with the largest Aboriginal populations were Winnipeg (78,420), Edmonton (61,765), Vancouver (52,375), Toronto (36,995), Calgary (33,370), Ottawa-Gatineau (30,570), Montreal (26,280), Saskatoon (23,895), and Regina (19,785).
Quotes
"I applaud the collaborative work of the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies and the Saskatoon Health Region for bringing together the right stakeholders in order to see improved outcomes for the Aboriginal peoples within our communities."
Maurice Vellacott
Member of Parliament for Saskatoon–Wanuskewin
"Saskatoon Health Region sees this funding as an opportunity to illustrate our leadership commitment to engage and enhance our existing partners and develop new relationships."
Gabe Lafond
Director, First Nation and Métis Health Service and Representative Workforce
Saskatoon Health Region
"We are always seeking for new ways to make our relationships stronger and this project promises to add another dimension to our important work with the City of Saskatoon."
Riel Bellegarde
President & CEO, Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies
Related Products
News Release: Harper Government invests in Aboriginal People Living in Urban Centres
Backgrounder: Urban Aboriginal Programming, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
Fact Sheet: The Improved Urban Aboriginal Strategy: Urban Partnerships and Community Capacity Support
Frequently Asked Questions: The Improved Urban Aboriginal Strategy
Associated Links
Urban Aboriginal Peoples
National Association of Friendship Centres
Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies
Saskatoon Health Region
SOURCE Government of Canada
Emily Hillstrom, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, 819-997-0002; Media Relations, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, 819-953-1160; You can subscribe to receive our news releases and speeches via RSS feeds or e-mail. For more information or to subscribe, visit www.aandc.gc.ca/subscriptions.
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