Enabling Aboriginal people to take full advantage of the Canadian economy
NORTH VANCOUVER, BC, March 2, 2015 /CNW/ - Andrew Saxton, Member of Parliament for North Vancouver, on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, today announced that the Government of Canada is helping to increase jobs and opportunities for urban Aboriginal people living in Vancouver.
Through the National Association of Friendship Centres, the Government of Canada is making strategic community investments that 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.
$60,000 in federal funding was announced today by MP Andrew Saxton to the Red Fox Healthy Living Society located in Vancouver, British Columbia, which will help the organization build improved partnerships with local governments and other organizations to understand the issues facing the local Aboriginal population 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 Red Fox Healthy Living Society will receive $60,000 as part of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada's improved Urban Aboriginal Strategy. Funding is being delivered through the National Association of Friendship Centres.
- The 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's Urban Aboriginal Strategy is about supporting the measures that help create jobs for Aboriginal people and encourage their participation in the economy for their benefit and for the communities in which they live. Our Government is proud to support key initiatives aimed at increasing support for a skilled, trained Aboriginal workforce and to ensure they are best placed to participate fully in Canada's growing economy. "
Andrew Saxton
Member of Parliament for North Vancouver
"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 Red Fox Healthy Living Society into the network of service delivery under the Urban Aboriginal Strategy."
Nelson Mayer
President, National Association of Friendship Centres
"Funding from the Urban Partnerships program has enabled Red Fox to expand and reach more Aboriginal youth in Surrey, North Vancouver and South Vancouver. It has given us the resources to build new partnerships with school boards, colleges and community organizations to better support and prepare Aboriginal youth to lead rewarding and successful lives. Our Vancouver youth are very excited to share and create new opportunities with youth throughout Metro Vancouver."
Emma Sutherland
Executive Director, Red Fox Healthy Living Society
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 Supports
Frequently Asked Questions: The Improved Urban Aboriginal Strategy
News Release: NAFC Announces Community Capacity Support Recipients
Associated Links
Urban Aboriginal Peoples
National Association of Friendship Centres
Red Fox Healthy Living Society
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
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