March 13, 2015 – Ottawa, ON – Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, in partnership with the National Association of Friendship Centres, today announced support for the Skookum Jim Friendship Centre in their work to address barriers urban Aboriginal youth face so they can fully participate in the local economy.
Through the National Association of Friendship Centres, the Government of Canada is making strategic community investments designed to enhance the participation of urban Aboriginal people in their local economies.
A number of organizations across Canada are receiving support for projects that aim to promote skills and training and entrepreneurship, and that support Aboriginal women, children and families.
Minister Valcourt congratulates the organization’s efforts to target $60,000 in funding. This funding will help the organization improve partnerships that take into account the issues facing urban Aboriginal populations, while working to encourage growth in numbers of Aboriginal people in the workforce and increase the number of trained, skilled urban Aboriginal people.
The improved Urban Aboriginal Strategy results in more dollars being available to support community organizations and projects. This new approach recognizes the important role urban Aboriginal organizations play, and further helps to promote community engagement, planning and partnerships with the goal of increasing the participation of urban Aboriginal people in the Canadian economy.
Emily Hillstrom
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
