MONTREAL, April 22, 2005 -- President of the Privy Council, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and Member of Parliament (Westmount--Ville Marie) Lucienne Robillard, on behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women Liza Frulla, today announced $50,000 in funding for Igloolik Isuma Productions. The funds will help to create "Sila," a Web site about Inuit culture, language, and the Arctic environment. "One of our Government's priorities is to highlight the contributions, experiences, and culture of Aboriginal Canadians," said Minister Robillard. "The creation of this Web site will allow Internet users to learn more about Inuit culture and languages, as well as to raise awareness of the Aboriginal communities' unique place in our country." "The development of this e-learning resource offers us a valuable opportunity to learn more about our northern Aboriginal communities," said Minister Frulla. "By providing the Inuit community with a presence on the Net, we are also helping to promote a deeper understanding of Inuit culture throughout Canada and the world." The « Sila » Web site will feature an extensive teachers' resource centre. It will also present a learning zone module that will be structured along the lines of traditional Inuit culture: watching, storytelling, listening, and game playing. The Inuktitut component will help to improve communication among Canada's dispersed Inuit population, and the French component will address the current lack of French-language teaching materials on Inuit culture. The new site will target youth 12 years and older, educators, and parents. Financial assistance is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage through the Canadian Studies program. This program supports the production of educational material aimed at all Canadians and focusses on neglected or under-researched areas of Canadian studies. Funding announced today was provided for in the February 2005 federal budget. -30- Information: Jean-Philippe Côté Director of Communications Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women (819) 997-7788 Nathalie Dallaire Special Assistant Riding Office (514) 283-2013 Myriam Brochu Chief, Media Relations Canadian Heritage (819) 997-9314
