Enabling Aboriginal people to take full advantage of the Canadian economy
TORONTO, March 2, 2015 /CNW/ - Mark Strahl, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, in partnership with the National Association of Friendship Centres, today announced support to two urban Aboriginal organizations: Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment and Training and the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto. Today's announcement will assist with addressing barriers to employment urban Aboriginal youth face in Toronto so they can secure jobs and participate fully in the local economy.
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.
This support will help them build improved partnerships that understand the issues facing urban Aboriginal populations, 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 results in more dollars being available to support community organizations and projects. This new approach 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, Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment and Training and the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto received a total of $144,590 in funding as part of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada's improved Urban Aboriginal Strategy.
- These organizations were 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.
- 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
"Our Government is proud to support projects that help to enable Aboriginal people to take advantage of our country's economic prosperity. Supporting measures that help create jobs and encourage Aboriginal participation in the economy is key to a more prosperous and vibrant Canada."
Mark Strahl
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
"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 are pleased to have the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto expanding its services and welcome Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment and Training into the network of service delivery under the Urban Aboriginal Strategy."
Nelson Mayer
President, National Association of Friendship Centres
"The Native Canadian Centre of Toronto through its Aboriginal Youth Mental Health and Addictions Program, known as ENAGB, is continuously planning with its 7 member youth council to provide wrap around services for Aboriginal youth within the GTA.
Employment and employment skills will always be an important factor in empowering our youth towards living a healthy lifestyle; receiving this support has allowed our youth council and staff the opportunity to work with youth in developing a strategic plan and provide training for youth to move toward the implementation of ENAGB's Waazhi NakiiWORK, an Odd Job Squad."
Cynthia Bell
ENAGB Program Manager, Native Canadian Centre of Toronto
"Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment & Training has been providing innovative programs and services since 1994. Our Aboriginal Urban Youth Skills Program will provide unemployed Aboriginal youth with the necessary skills to explore meaningful employment opportunities. Traditional teachings are an integral part of this program as this knowledge is fundamental in knowing who we are as Aboriginal people. We appreciate the support that we have received from the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres."
Carol White
Program Coordinator, Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment & Training
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
Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment and Training
Native Canadian Centre of Toronto
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SOURCE Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development 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 Canada819-953-1160; Alysha Akoodie, Communications and Social Media Officer, National Association of Friendship Centres, 613-563-4844
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