Harper Government Helps to Create Opportunities for Urban Aboriginal Women in Prince Edward Island

Enabling Aboriginal people to take full advantage of the Canadian economy

OTTAWA, March 26, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Member of Parliament for Egmont, on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, in partnership with the National Association of Friendship Centres, today announced that the Harper Government is helping increase jobs and opportunities for urban Aboriginal women in Prince Edward Island.

Through the National Association of Friendship Centres, these strategic community investments are designed to enhance the participation of urban Aboriginal people in their local economies.

A number of organizations across Canada are receiving support for projects that aim to promote skills and training, entrepreneurship and supporting Aboriginal women, children and families.

Minister Shea congratulates the Aboriginal Women's Association of Prince Edward Island for receiving $25,190, which will help them build improved partnerships that address the issues facing the local Aboriginal population while working to encourage growth in numbers of Aboriginal people in the workforce, and increase support for trained, skilled workers.

The improved Urban Aboriginal Strategy recognizes the important role urban Aboriginal organizations play, and further helps to promote community engagement, planning and partnerships with the goal of increasing the participation of urban Aboriginal people in the Canadian economy.

Quick Facts

• Through the Urban Partnerships program, the Aboriginal Women's Association of Prince Edward Island will receive $25,190 in funding as part of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada's improved Urban Aboriginal Strategy.
• The funding announced will support the organization's "Women Helping Women" project, which assists Aboriginal women in developing career paths and employment objectives while ensuring they are prepared for life in the workforce.
• This organization was selected through an adjudicated call for proposals process that was administered by the National Association of Friendship Centres.
• According to 2011 Census data, 56 per cent of all Aboriginal people in Canada live in urban areas.

Quotes

"Our Government is delivering results for Canadians and supporting measures that will help create jobs and opportunities for Aboriginal people. Aboriginal participation in the economy is key to a more prosperous and vibrant Canada."

Gail Shea
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Member of Parliament for Egmont

"For over half a century, Friendship Centres across Canada have been addressing the needs of urban Aboriginal people through our unique wrap-around service delivery model. We welcome the Aboriginal Women's Association of Prince Edward Island into the network of service delivery under the Urban Aboriginal Strategy."

Nelson Mayer
President, National Association of Friendship Centres

"We welcome this new partnership with the Government of Canada as we endeavour to provide as many opportunities as possible for the Aboriginal women of Prince Edward Island to reach their full potential."

Judy Clark
President, Aboriginal Women's Association of Prince Edward Island

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
Fact Sheet - 2011 National Household Survey Aboriginal Demographics, Educational Attainment and Labour Market Outcomes

Associated Links

Urban Aboriginal Strategy
Urban Aboriginal Peoples
Urban Partnerships program
National Association of Friendship Centres

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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; Alysha Akoodie, Communications and Social Media Officer, National Association of Friendship Centres, 613-563-4844