August 24, 2005
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
Funding of a comprehensive business skills training program
for Aboriginal craftswomen in Nova Scotia was announced
today by the Government of Canada and the Province of Nova
Scotia. The training program, valued at more than $140,000, was
announced by the Honourable Robert Thibault, MP for West
Nova and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health,
on behalf of the Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister of the
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the
Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of Indian Affairs and
Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and
Non-Status Indians, and the Honourable Ernie Fage, Nova
Scotia Minister of Economic Development.The project is being coordinated by the Acadia First
Nation, of Yarmouth, on behalf of the Economic Development
Officers Network. It involves the delivery of customized
business training to Aboriginal craftswomen in five Nova
Scotia centres. The locations include: the Mi'kmaq Native
Friendship Centre, Halifax; Acadia First Nation, Yarmouth;
Pictou Landing First Nation, Pictou County; Wagmatcook
First Nation, Victoria County; and Eskasoni First Nation,
Cape Breton County.ACOA, through our Women in Business program, is pleased to
support women in First Nation communities acquire the
entrepreneurship and business skills required in order to
expand their businesses, said MP Thibault. An
initiative such as this will have a significant impact on
this region's economy. This funding demonstrates a
commitment to expand the economic prospects of First Nation
people and communities by growing a vigorous, sustainable
economy."The demand for traditional aboriginal arts and crafts is
increasing, at the same time that aboriginal communities
elsewhere are successfully incorporating art and culture
into economic development, said the province's Economic
Development Minister, Ernest Fage. We see the wisdom in
following their lead, as this project does, by supporting
entrepreneurial success among Nova Scotia's aboriginal
craftswomen. Aboriginal people often express their cultural and
spiritual connection to the land through art and craft,
said Acadia First Nation Economic Development Officer Lisa
Francis. This project will enhance the entrepreneurial
spirit of Aboriginal craftswomen and enable them to seize
opportunities in the marketplace.Participants taking part in this customized training
program will take part in seven workshops focused on
marketing, financing and production planning. At the
conclusion of the sessions participants will participate in
selected trade shows.Funding amounts include: $39,934 from the Atlantic Canada
Opportunities Agency; $35,000 from the Government of Nova
Scotia; $30,470 from Indian and Northern Affairs; and
$20,000 from Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation.- 30 -
Valérie Poulin
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Joseph McGuire
Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
(613) 941-7241
David Harrigan
Senior Communications Officer
ACOA (Nova Scotia)
(902) 426-4238
Mary Jane Fumerton
Nova Scotia Department of Economic Development
(902) 424-1728
Lisa Francis
Development Officer
Acadia First Nation
(902)354-5816
