January 10, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN - The Honourable Carol Skelton, Minister of National Revenue, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Canada today signed a $22.1 million Aboriginal Human Resources Development Agreement (AHRDA) with the Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI).
Under today’s agreement, GDI will establish a new training and employment arm that will offer a broad range of human resources development programs in rural, Northern and urban Métis communities through 10 new regional delivery offices.
“Canada’s New Government is committed to ensuring that Métis people in Saskatchewan can access the services they need to find long-term employment, build stronger communities and increase self-sufficiency,” said Minister Skelton. “Our mission is to build a stronger Canada, and a strong country begins with a strong labour force.”
GDI was incorporated in 1980 to serve the educational and cultural needs of Saskatchewan’s Métis community. GDI offers university accredited programming, including the Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program (SUNTEP), in cooperation with Saskatchewan Advanced Education and Employment, the University of Saskatchewan, and the University of Regina. Adult basic education and skills training is offered in communities across the province through GDI’s adult upgrading and technical training arm, the Dumont Technical Institute, which is federated with the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology .
“Métis control and responsibility for Métis human resources development are at the heart of this agreement,” said GDI’s Vice Chair, Doyle Vermette. “This agreement is a necessary measure for Métis people to address the economic and social disparities between ourselves and the mainstream population. Not only Métis people will benefit from a highly trained and skilled Métis labour force; so will all residents of Saskatchewan and the people of Canada.”
Funding for this agreement is provided through the Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy (AHRDS), which is designed to expand employment opportunities for Aboriginal people across Canada. Under the AHRDS, Aboriginal organizations design and deliver employment programs and services best suited to meeting the unique needs of their communities.
There are currently 80 AHRDA holders delivering labour market programs and services in over 400 locations across Canada. With today’s announcement, there are now two AHRDAs in Saskatchewan: one with GDI to address the employment and training needs of Métis people, and one with the Saskatchewan Indian Training Assessment Group to meet the employment and training needs of First Nations people.
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This news release is available in alternative formats on request. Call 1 800 788-8282 on a touch-tone phone, or through a teletypewriter (TTY).
For more information (media only):
Craig Henry
Manager, Communications and Marketing
Service Canada Saskatchewan
306-564-5380
Public Enquiries:
1 800 O-Canada (1-800-622-6232)
TTY: 1-800-926-9105
servicecanada.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Service Canada
819-994-5559
Geordy McCaffery
Executive Director
Gabriel Dumont Institute
306- 657-2231
www.gdins.org
BACKGROUNDER
GABRIEL DUMONT INSTITUTE ABORIGINAL HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT
Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI) was incorporated in 1980 to serve the educational and cultural needs of Saskatchewan’s Métis community. GDI offers community-based accredited programming via agreements with Saskatchewan Advanced Education and Employment, the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Regina, Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST), and the province’s Regional Colleges. GDI offers a wide range of programs and services, including:
A publishing department, which creates Métis-specific historical and learning materials;
Dumont Technical Institute, which provides Adult Basic Education and Skills Training to over 700 students each year in communities across the province;
Saskatchewan Urban Native Teacher Education Program (SUNTEP), a four-year Bachelor of Education degree program in cooperation with the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina;
Gabriel Dumont College, which offers Arts and Sciences programming to Métis students in affiliation with the University of Saskatchewan and a Graduate Studies program for Métis graduate students; and
Gabriel Dumont Scholarship Foundation which administers GDI’s scholarships.
Under the new Aboriginal Human Resources Development Agreement (AHRDA), GDI will establish a new training and employment arm that will offer a broad range of human resources development programs in rural, Northern and urban Métis communities through 10 new regional delivery offices. These offices will be located in Ile a la Crosse, La Loche, La Ronge, Meadow Lake, Nipawin, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon and Yorkton.
These offices will work with a number of partners to best meet the employment and training needs of Métis people and to address the unique labour market needs of Saskatchewan communities. Among these partnerships, Saskatchewan’s Regional Colleges will share resources and information with GDI for joint planning and programming; Saskatchewan Advanced Education and Employment will share expertise and information on best practices in the delivery of human resources development services and programs; and Keewatin Career Development Corporation will share expertise in planning and information technology for the creation of the 10 new regional delivery offices.
Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy funding:
Gabriel Dumont Institute will receive $22,100,946 in funding over three years under this agreement.
Fiscal year
Consolidated Revenue Fund
Employment Insurance Part II
Total funding
2006 - 2007
$583,112.00
$520,170.00
$1,103,282.00
2007 - 2008
$7,158,980.00
$3,339,852.00
$10,498,832.00
2008 - 2009
$7,158,980.00
$3,339,852.00
$10,498,832.00
2006 - 2009
$14,901,072.00
$7,199,874.00
$22,100,946.00
