OTTAWA, March 18, 2016 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada today announced a commitment of $1.3 million in support for the Mamisarvik Healing Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. The Mamisarvik Healing Centre, run by the Tungasuvvingat Inuit organization, is recognized as a centre of excellence, providing trauma and addiction treatment for Inuit in both the Ottawa region and from Arctic communities.
Access to programs that are imbued with traditional Inuit principles and that are provided by fellow Inuit is vital to the well-being of individual Inuit in need of support and to strengthening the Inuit community
The funding is being provided through a partnership between Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) and Health Canada. This new funding will enable the Centre to continue its important work in supporting Inuit in southern Canada through 2016-2017.
Quotes
"Being able to access culturally-relevant treatment programs in Canada is critical to the healing and well-being of Indigenous Peoples. Mamisarvik Health Centre has been providing important services for Inuit in both Ottawa and from Arctic communities, and as part of our commitment to reconciliation this funding aims to ensure that needed support for healing will continue to be available. "
The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs
"The Mamisarvik Health Centre provides important services to Inuit in the Ottawa region, and I am pleased that they will be able to continue to do so. The inequalities in mental health support for First Nations and Inuit across the country is unacceptable and a priority that we need to respond to. Supporting the Mamisarvik Healing Centre is one example of addressing this, but we understand that solving these inequalities won't happen overnight. We are committed to ensuring that actions are sustained over the long term, so that Inuit-specific, culturally relevant, and language appropriate programs and services can continue to promote healing."
The Honourable Jane Philpott, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Health
"The Mamisarvik Healing Centre provides essential services for those struggling with addictions and trauma and in need of support that reflects and understands Inuit culture and language. I am pleased our government is able to provide this funding to help Mamisarvik continue its valuable work."
The Honourable Hunter Tootoo
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, MP for Nunavut
"Tungasuvvingat Inuit (TI) is keenly aware of the need for culturally specific trauma and addiction counselling services for Inuit both living in our home communities and the thousands of Inuit now living in Ontario. With this funding announcement of a one year commitment, TI is now able to work quickly to formulate a sustainable plan to reconstitute the operational structure of Mamisarvik. We are grateful for this timely investment which will minimize the impact on our clients."
Malaya Rheaume,
Board President, Tungasuvvingat Inuit
Quick Facts
- The Mamisarvik Healing Centre, run by the Tungasuvvingat Inuit, is a national, Inuit-specific, healing centre for women and men; it is one of just two such centres in Canada.
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SOURCE Government of Canada
Contacts: Sabrina Williams, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, 819-997-0002; Andrew MacKendrick, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Jane Philpott, 613-957-0200; Jason Leblanc, Executive Director, Mamisarvik Healing Centre, 613 565-5885 ext. 15; Media Relations, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, 819-953-1160
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