The project, led by the First Nations Confederacy of Cultural Education Centres, will highlight Indigenous cultures while inspiring dialogue between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people
KITIGAN ZIBI, QC, June 8, 2017 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, announced $500,000 in funding for the First Nations Confederacy of Cultural Education Centres (FNCCEC) for its project Our People, Our Culture, Our Canada!
This Indigenous-led project will highlight First Nations cultural diversity, among other topics, at a cultural exhibition in Ottawa this fall. Indigenous and non-Indigenous people will have the opportunity to engage with arts and crafts activities, drum and dance performances, and various exhibits, while encouraging dialogue and mutual understanding, as we advance reconciliation together.
The Government of Canada provided this funding through the Canada 150 Fund. This fund supports local, regional and Canada-wide activities to help Canadians from coast to coast to coast celebrate and make 2017 a memorable year.
Quotes
"There is no relationship more important to our government than the one we have with Indigenous Peoples. That is why we are proud to support the cultural expo on reconciliation from the First Nations Confederacy of Cultural Education Centres. This expo will bring all Canadians together to learn more about the rich heritage of Indigenous Peoples as we work together toward reconciliation."
—The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage
"The FNCCEC is an organization that is rich in culture and boasts a diversity of First Nations languages. The Cultural Expo 2017 is the ideal opportunity for us to play a key role in sharing our treasures with Canadians, and for Canadians to learn and to experience who we are as peoples with their own histories, identities and languages. We will educate Canadians as we honour the country's first residents, first languages, first cultures and first heritage. We see our Cultural Expo 2017 as a time for education, for celebration and for reconciliation. By better understanding our peoples and our culture, Canadians and First Nations will walk the road of reconciliation together for our children and our youth. Together, we will highlight mino-pimadiziwin (living a good life)."
—Claudette Commanda, Executive Director, First Nations Confederacy of Cultural Education Centres
Quick Facts
The Government of Canada is providing a total of $500,000 for the Canada 150 community project Our People, Our Culture, Our Canada! by the First Nations Confederacy of Cultural Education Centres.
The main themes of the Government of Canada's vision for Canada 150 are diversity and inclusion, reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, the environment and youth.
The Canada 150 Fund was established in April 2015 and has an overall budget of $200 million.
Through this fund, the Government of Canada is investing strategically in activities that support the vision of Canada 150 and encourage the direct involvement of Canadians.
Associated links
Canada 150 http://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1468262573081/1468262646675
SOURCE Canadian Heritage
(media only), please contact: Pierre-Olivier Herbert, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, 819-997-7788; Media Relations, Canadian Heritage, 819-994-9101, 1-866-569-6155, [email protected]
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