PRINCE ALBERT, Saskatchewan, September 21, 2007 - On behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, the Honourable Carol Skelton, Member of Parliament (Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar), today announced funding of up to $67,000 to Prince Albert Women of the Earth Inc. for a program entitled Youth of the Earth. These funds will help provide weekly educational and cultural activities and programming for urban Aboriginal youth.
"Canada's New Government is committed to helping Aboriginal young people reach their full potential," said Minister Verner. "Youth of the Earth will offer a variety of cultural and social activities tailored to the needs of participants. By providing a safe, positive and traditional cultural setting, this program will allow Aboriginal youth to face some of their challenges."
"Our Government is proud to support an organization that provides Prince Albert's Aboriginal youth with leadership and community development opportunities," said Mrs. Skelton. "This project offers positive alternatives for these youth and aims to improve their economic, social, cultural, and personal prospects."
"The P.A. Women of the Earth Inc. is grateful to the Government of Canada, specifically the Department of Canadian Heritage, for funding our project Youth of the Earth," said Norma Green, President of the Prince Albert Women of the Earth Inc. "The support will provide positive options for our youth, with a focus on cultural education, traditional arts, recreational activities and employment skill development."
Prince Albert Women of the Earth is a non-profit First Nations organization that provides programs and services to Aboriginal people living in Prince Albert. With the support of Elders, Aboriginal youth coordinators, guest speakers, and facilitators, the Youth of the Earth program will promote the learning of Aboriginal languages, cultural education and history, skills development, healthy relationships, anti-racism and anti-violence, and traditional arts workshops. A variety of life skills workshops and recreational activities will be provided in a traditional cultural setting.
Canada's New Government will provide financial assistance through the Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centre component of the Aboriginal Peoples' Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program provides Aboriginal young people, aged 15 to 24, living in urban settings, with projects and activities that are culturally relevant and based in the Aboriginal community. This program helps Aboriginal young people improve their economic, social, and personal prospects.
Information:
Richard Walker
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and
Official Languages
819 994-5978
Dori Krahn
Constituency Assistant
Office of the Honorable Carol Skelton, P.C., M.P
306-975-6555
Angela Cassie
A/Director of Communications
Prairies and Northern Region
Canadian Heritage
204 983-4367
