GRANDE PRAIRIE, ALBERTA (May 4, 2005) - The Government of Canada, the Province of Alberta and Grande Prairie Regional College (GPRC) today signed a partnership agreement to develop policies and practices to recruit and retain Aboriginal faculty and staff. The agreement was signed by the Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor of Métis and Non-Status Indians, the Honourable Pearl Calahasen, Alberta Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and Jim Henderson, President, GPRC. "I am very pleased to enter into this partnership agreement as this initiative is aimed at providing more information about employment opportunities to Aboriginal communities and organizations," said Minister Scott. "The Government of Canada is committed to strengthening its relationship with Aboriginal people by changing how programs and services are delivered." As the first agreement of its kind to be signed by the Government of Canada, the province and a college, the parties will create professional development opportunities for faculty, support staff, administration and students, facilitate Aboriginal community liaison and feedback, identify employment and career development opportunities for Aboriginal people, and create linkages to the labour force and educational opportunities. Minister Calahasen applauded the agreement, saying the initiative will go a long way in establishing partnerships to further Aboriginal employment opportunities. "The signing of this progressive partnership is a win-win initiative for all of us," said Minister Calahasen. "Our collective purpose is to support the goal of increasing Aboriginal participation in the economy, and partnerships work, when they provide benefits for everyone. Employed people support the local economy." "Grande Prairie Regional College is uniquely situated to be an active partner in the development of these forward-thinking policies," said Mr. Henderson. "As an institution we have led the way in making education accessible to the Aboriginal students of our region. As a community, we serve a population of which Aboriginal members are the fastest-growing sector. GPRC is very proud to be working toward policies and practices aimed at recruiting and retaining Aboriginal faculty and staff." Alberta has an Aboriginal Policy Framework in place. Its two main goals are to improve socio-economic opportunities for Aboriginal people and communities and to clarify federal, provincial and Aboriginal roles and responsibilities. The Government of Canada, through the Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative (AWPI), promotes employment partnership agreements throughout the country. AWPI is part of the government's commitment to help Aboriginal people build stronger, healthier and more self-reliant communities by increasing the participation of Aboriginal people in the labour market. -30- For further information contact: Glenn Luff Director, Communications Alberta Region Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (780) 495-6638 Jason Gariepy Director, Communications Alberta Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development (780) 415-0876 Bernice Shadow, Aboriginal Program Coordinator Workforce Development Grande Prairie Regional College (780) 539-2721 bshadow@gprc.ab.ca
