CAMBRIDGE BAY, Nunavut, March 28, 2008 - The Kitikmeot region's Aboriginal young people will have a chance to increase their knowledge of their culture, their language, and their traditional lifestyle and life skills through the programs s of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association's Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centre, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada.
On behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Offici al Languages, the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, and Member of Parliament (Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon), today announced funding for the Kitikmeot In uit Association.
Funding of $213,811 will support a series of projects for young people held in communities across the Kitikmeot region. Among the activities planned are elder and youth culture camps, traditional knowledge workshops, youth le adership workshops, and a multimedia workshop.
"The Government of Canada is committed to supporting projects that help Aboriginal young people acquire life skills for the future while grounding them within their rich cultural identity," said Minister Verner.
"Our government recognizes the importance of investing in the future of Inuit youth," said Minister Strahl. "These projects support Inuit by teaching young people traditional culture and values, while giving them important life skills."
"Funding from Canadian Heritage will go a long way in assisting us to achieve our goals and will provide much needed programming for youth in our region," said Jason Tologanak, Policy Analy st with the Kitikmeot Inuit Association. "These programs provide youth with a foundation for building understanding of their identity, help instill pride and confidence, and help them make choices that will benefit their lives. We are very excited to be partners in the delivery of these initiatives."
The Government of Canada has provided this funding through the Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centre Initiative of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This initiative supports com munity-based projects for urban Aboriginal young people to improve their social, economic, and personal prospects and to strengthen their cultural identity.
Information:
Dominic Gosselin
Press Secr etary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage,
Status of Women and Official Languages
819 997-7788
Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101