EDMONTON, August 26, 2010 - On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Brent Rathgeber, Member of Parliament (Edmonton-St. Albert), today announced funding for Edmonton's Creating Hope Society.
With this funding, the Creating Hope Society will deliver the Mentorship 4 Life project, which will assist Aboriginal women who have experienced the intergenerational effects of child welfare. The project will provide leadership development opportunities to Aboriginal women by getting participants involved in culturally relevant life-skills programs. Aboriginal women and their families will plan and implement the Mentorship 4 Life project in the form of one-on-one and group information sessions, while conducting community public-speaking activities.
"The Government of Canada is committed to helping Aboriginal women gain the skills they need to achieve their goals," said Minister Moore. "It is important to recognize the value of these kinds of initiatives, and I am pleased that our Government is supporting the Creating Hope Society."
"This project will provide leadership development opportunities to Aboriginal women and their families," said Mr. Rathgeber. "We are proud to support an organization that helps Aboriginal women gain independence and succeed in life."
"The Mentorship 4 Life initiative supports Aboriginal women and youth who have been impacted by child welfare and residential schools," said Bernadette Iahtail, Executive Director of the Creating Hope Society. "Aboriginal women will experience a culturally based program that will improve their leadership skills and develop their strengths to move forward for a better future for themselves, their families, and their communities."
Creating Hope Society is a not-for-profit Aboriginal organization engaged in a process of reconciliation that will allow understanding and address the historical impacts of child welfare on Aboriginal peoples. The activities of Mentorship 4 Life will support Aboriginal women in developing strong leadership capabilities, while preserving their cultural identity.
The Government of Canada has provided funding of $13,500 through the Aboriginal Women's Community Initiative of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This initiative enables Aboriginal women to influence policies, programs, legislation, and decision making that affect their social, cultural, economic, and political well-being in their communities and in Canadian society. It includes a component to address issues around family violence and a self-government initiative to support the full participation of Aboriginal women in consultations and decision-making processes.
Matthew Deacon
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and
Official Languages
819-997-7788
matthew.deacon@pch.gc.ca
Perry Boldt
A/Regional Manager
Communications
Western Region
Canadian Heritage
604-666-5739
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca
