OTTAWA, March 23, 2007 - On behalf of the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, Mr. Royal Galipeau, Member of Parliament (Ottawa-Orléans), announced this week $496,228 in funding for the Métis Nation of Ontario Secretariat. This funding will support the Métis Nation of Ontario's programs for urban Aboriginal youth, and the day-to-day operations of the Secretariat.
"The Métis people have a rich cultural heritage," said Minister Oda. "We are proud to support this organization to ensure that the Métis people continue to have a voice in Ontario and in Canada."
"Canada's New Government is committed to enabling Aboriginal people to fully participate in the social, political, economic, and cultural life of the country," said Mr. Galipeau. "We are pleased to support the Métis Nation of Ontario."
Of the $496,228 in total funding, $349,859 will be distributed by the Métis Nation of Ontario to community offices for culturally relevant programs and activities designed to improve the skills, knowledge, and leadership of urban Aboriginal youth. These projects include the Thunder Bay Métis Youth Centre, a cultural event for Sault Ste. Marie Métis youth, the Sudbury Métis Youth Centre, Reaching New Heights: Highlighting Métis in Ottawa, Temiskaming Voyageurs of the New Generation, and Timmins Aboriginal Youth in Motion.
The remaining $146,369 in funding will enable the Métis Nation of Ontario to represent the interests of the province's Métis people in helping develop and implement government policies and programs, delivering information sessions across their constituency, and holding an Annual General Assembly.
Canada's New Government has provided this funding through the Department of Canadian Heritage's Aboriginal Peoples' Program, which supports the full participation and cultural revitalization of Aboriginal people in Canadian society. It enables Aboriginal peoples to address the social, cultural, economic and political issues affecting their lives.
Information :
Véronique Bruneau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Status of Women
819 997-7788
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101
