Harper Government Invests in Winnipeg's Aboriginal Community

WINNIPEG, Feb. 21, 2012 /CNW/ - Winnipeg's Aboriginal community will have more opportunities to learn about their culture, heritage, language, and traditions, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada. Support for 13 organizations was announced today by Shelly Glover, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament (Saint Boniface), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.

With this funding, organizations will deliver projects for Aboriginal youth and women throughout Winnipeg. Projects include community-driven activities that are designed to strengthen cultural identity and enable participants to make positive life choices.

"Our Government received a strong mandate from Canadians to invest in important local initiatives like those announced today," said Minister Moore. "By supporting these activities, our Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen our economy and help Aboriginal people become more active participants in shaping their future and in contributing to the growth of their community."

"Aboriginal people and Aboriginal culture contribute greatly to Canadian identity," said Mrs. Glover. "Our Government is proud to invest in projects that will help improve the quality of life for Aboriginal people in Manitoba, support their cultural revitalization, and build healthy communities."

"I have witnessed first hand the incredible transformation in Aboriginal youth as the result of positive exposure to their culture," said Phil Chiappetta, Co-Executive Director of Rossbrook House. "Pride in their heritage gives Aboriginal youth a deeper sense of belonging and stronger sense of their identity."

The Government of Canada has provided total funding of $1,363,747 through the Aboriginal Peoples' Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program focuses primarily on strengthening cultural identity, encouraging full Aboriginal participation in Canadian life, and supporting the continuation of Aboriginal cultures and languages as living elements of Canadian society.

For more information about the projects, see the attached backgrounder.

(This news release is available on the Internet at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Newsroom.)

BACKGROUNDER

Today's announcement includes projects supported through the following funding elements of the Aboriginal Peoples' Program:

Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth (CCAY)
CCAY provides Aboriginal young people aged 10 to 24, living in urban settings across Canada, with activities that incorporate Aboriginal values, cultures, and traditional practices designed to improve their social, economic, and personal prospects through a strengthening of their cultural identity.

• Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Secretariat Inc. - Eagle's Nest for Aboriginal Youth; $112,200
• First Nations of Southern Manitoba Child and Family Service Authority - Eyes for ME: Engaging Youth, Empowering Spirits for Mother Earth); $101,584
• Indian and Métis Friendship Centre of Winnipeg Inc. - Keeping Our Youth; $164,502
• Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre Inc. - Growing Our Strength; $193,294
• Manitoba Indian Education Association Inc. - Honouring Our Spirits; $134,000
• Manitoba Theatre for Young People - Aboriginal Voices: Carrying the Oral Tradition Into the Future; $145,521
• Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad Inc. - Cultural Connections; $66,259
• Rossbrook House Inc. - Eagles' Nest; $46,199
• Winnipeg Aboriginal Film & Video Festival Inc. - Our Stories, Our Identities; $49,854
• Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Association Inc. - The Youth Achievement Project; $187,680
• Winnipeg Métis Association Inc. - Big H.A.R.T.; $92,077

Aboriginal Women's Programming Elements (AWPE)
AWPE enables Aboriginal women to influence policies, programs, legislation, and decision making that affect the social, cultural, economic, and political well-being in their communities and in Canadian society.

• Red Road to Freedom Ad Hoc Committee - Red Road to Healing Shared; $35,394

Aboriginal Languages Initiative (ALI)
The objective of ALI is to support community-based language projects that contribute to the revitalization and preservation of Aboriginal languages and increase their use in community settings.

• Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc. - Anishiinabwemon Pimadisimighout "Living our Languages" $35,183

(media only), please contact:

Sébastien Gariépy
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of
Canadian Heritage and
Official Languages
819-997-7788

Francine D. Lefebvre
Director
Regional Communications
Prairies and Northern Region
Canadian Heritage
Tel.: [phone]
Cell: 204-899-8611
[email protected]

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
[email protected]