2-02465 CALGARY, ALBERTA (January 29, 2004) -- An Aboriginal women's business planning guide entitled Journey to Success was released today during the Business and Political Leaders for Women conference at the Sheraton Cavalier Hotel. The announcement was made by the Honourable Pearl Calahasen, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, Province of Alberta, on behalf of the Honourable Andy Mitchell, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and the Federal/Provincial/Territorial/Aboriginal (FPTA) Forum."This conference is an ideal setting to launch this guide as it is a business planning tool designed specifically for Aboriginal women," said Minister Mitchell. "It addresses some of the unique barriers faced by Aboriginal business women and provides strategies to overcome them. The Government of Canada is pleased to be working in partnership with federal, provincial, territorial and Aboriginal leaders to improve the quality of life of Aboriginal people in Canada."This guide is the result of the attention paid to the needs of Aboriginal women entrepreneurs by federal, provincial, territorial and Aboriginal leaders through the FPTA Forum working to strengthen Aboriginal participation in the economy. "I am pleased to launch Journey to Success on behalf of the FPTA," said Minister Calahasen. "This guide speaks to the needs of Aboriginal women entrepreneurs who want to explore new economic opportunities which will benefit not only them, but their communities as well. I look forward to continuing our work with our partners to support an environment that promotes the well-being and self-reliance of Aboriginal peoples."This guide reflects input from Aboriginal women across the country, individual entrepreneurs and representatives of Aboriginal women's organizations. Their ideas and advice have been included into this practical and easy-to-use tool for Aboriginal women who are thinking of going into business.As part of the implementation plan, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) is working with several partners including the governments of British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Nunavut to hold discussions with key stakeholders. These discussions will help determine how best to ensure Aboriginal women across the country can make full use of this resource.Copies of the guide are available from all FTPA partners, INAC's regional offices and through INAC's Contact Centre at (819) 997-0380.Backgrounder - The Federal/Provincial/Territorial/Aboriginal (FPTA) Forum For more information, please contact: Patricia ValladaoMedia RelationsINAC Communications(819) 997-8404 Jay O'NeillCommunications Alberta Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development(780) 415-0900 For copies contact:Public Enquiries and Publication Distribution Les Terrasses de la ChaudièreRoom 141510 Wellington StreetGatineau, PQ K1A 0H4infopubs@ainc-inac.gc.caToll-free phone 1-800-567-9604Toll-free TTY 1-866-553-0554 Toll-free fax 1-866-817-3977
