December 1, 2014 – Ottawa, ON – Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, announced today an agreement with the National Association of Friendship Centres to help enable Aboriginal people in urban centres to take advantage of the economic prosperity of our country.
The National Association of Friendship Centres is receiving $17 million from the Harper Government to support initiatives that benefit urban Aboriginal peoples, while contributing to increasing the participation of urban Aboriginal peoples in the economy. This investment signifies one step further in support of Aboriginal organizations aligned with the Government's priority of increasing the economic participation of Aboriginal people living in Canada's urban areas.
The Urban Partnerships program is a collaborative approach that brings together the expertise of governments, Aboriginal communities, and private and not-for-profit sectors to address barriers preventing Aboriginal people in urban centres from participating fully in the economy.
Our Government announced improvements to the Urban Aboriginal Strategy on February 6, 2014, and this program builds on Canada's initiative to provide further opportunities for success for Canada's growing urban Aboriginal population. The new strategy consolidates previous urban Aboriginal programming into two new programs – Urban Partnerships and Community Capacity Support.
This streamlined approach will result in more support going directly to community projects, initiatives, and services to support Aboriginal people living in urban centres.
Erica Meekes
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
819-997-0002
Media Relations
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
819-953-1160
Alysha Akoodie
Communications and Social Media Officer
National Association of Friendship Centres
613-563-4844
Follow us on Twitter: @AANDCanada
