CALGARY, July 27, 2009 - On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Lee Richardson, Member of Parliament (Calgary Centre), today announced funding for the Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth.
This funding will be used to support New Tribe magazine, a 40-page monthly publication that contains articles, artwork, poetry, and stories all written for and by Aboriginal young people. The magazine provides Aboriginal youth living in an urban environment with a means to share positive stories, while also providing a medium for the non-Aboriginal community to learn about Aboriginal culture. The Society publishes 5,000 copies of the magazine each month, and it is available free at more than 200 locations in Calgary and online.
"Our Government is proud to help Aboriginal young people gain the skills they need to achieve their goals," said Minister Moore. "It's great to partner with an organization that helps young Aboriginal women and men gain confidence and share positive stories about their culture."
"I'm pleased with our Government's continued support for New Tribe magazine," said
Mr. Richardson. "The magazine plays an important role in our community by providing a forum to express concerns and opinions on urban life."
"This renewed commitment for funding from the Government of Canada will ensure that the magazine will be able to continue sending out positive messages," said John Medeiros, Managing Editor, New Tribe magazine. "Our magazine provides youth with a safe forum to share their ideas and stories, giving them the voice they need to build confidence, a sense of identity, and a venue to learn more about their community."
The Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth aims to enrich the lives of all urban Aboriginal youth through nurturing, self-empowerment, and fostering healthy collaboration and communication to ensure healthy future generations.
The Government of Canada has provided funding of $152,800 under the Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centre Initiative of the Department of Canadian Heritage's Aboriginal Peoples' Program. This initiative supports community, culturally-based projects for urban Aboriginal young people to improve their social, economic, and personal prospects and to strengthen their cultural identity.
Deirdra McCracken
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and
Official Languages
819-997-7788
deirdra.mccracken@pch.gc.ca
Ginette Montreuil
Regional Manager
Communications
Western Region
Canadian Heritage
604-666-6504
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
