EDMONTON, September 9, 2010 - On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Peter Goldring, Member of Parliament (Edmonton East), today announced funding for the Ben Calf Robe Society.
This funding will support the Amiskos project, which will provide urban Aboriginal youth aged 10 to 24 with year-round after-school cultural activities. Amiskos will provide more than 100 young Aboriginal people with opportunities to learn about their culture through arts and crafts, dancing and drumming, teachings from elders, and learning the basics of the Cree language.
"The Government of Canada is committed to helping Aboriginal youth gain the skills they need to achieve their goals," said Minister Moore. "We are proud to support organizations that help Aboriginal youth gain independence and succeed in life."
"Our Government is proud to assist young Aboriginal people in gaining knowledge about their culture and language," said Mr. Goldring. "Aboriginal cultures are an integral part of our Canadian heritage, and we are pleased to support an organization that promotes a strong identity."
The Ben Calf Robe Society has been a support system for the Ben Calf Robe School in Edmonton since 1981, and provides counselling programs and general assistance for young Aboriginal people. The Society's mandate is to provide Aboriginal children and their families with holistic education, supportive social services, and high-quality culturally relevant programs.
The Government of Canada has provided funding of $64,000 through the Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth initiative (formerly known as the Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centre Initiative) of the Department of Canadian Heritage's Aboriginal Peoples' Program. This initiative provides Aboriginal young people aged 10 to 24, living in urban settings across Canada, with programming that incorporates Aboriginal values, cultures, and traditional practices in projects and activities designed to improve their social, economic, and personal prospects and to strengthen their cultural identity.
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
