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For Release
November 10, 2005

Winnipeg Partnership Agreement continues investment in Winnipeg's Aboriginal Community

Winnipeg, Manitoba – Winnipeg's Aboriginal community will benefit from $1,789,424 in funding under the Winnipeg Partnership Agreement (WPA). This investment will support 19 projects that focus on Aboriginal renewal, education and skills development.

The funding was announced today by Raymond Simard, Member of Parliament for St. Boniface, on behalf of Reg Alcock, President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board, Scott Smith, Manitoba Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade, and, Mike Pagtakhan, City Councillor for Point Douglas Ward, on behalf of his Worship, Sam Katz, Mayor of Winnipeg.

"The Government of Canada recognizes that the Aboriginal community must play a strong role in the future social and economic development of Winnipeg. We are committed to working with our community partners to improve the quality of life for urban Aboriginal people," said Mr. Simard. "The Winnipeg Partnership Agreement and Canada's Urban Aboriginal Strategy are a perfect match-they both emphasize the importance of finding local solutions to address local priorities."

"The whole community is strengthened when we help our city's Aboriginal youth get a good start in life, provide a strong education base and opportunities to develop positive cultural values," said Minister Smith. "These projects will assist our efforts to help our urban Aboriginal population thrive within our capital city's diverse social fabric."

"Most of the projects being announced today focus on providing community resources that will enhance the quality of life for Aboriginals in Winnipeg, and in particular, Aboriginal youth, who will play such an important role in Winnipeg's success in the future. We are grateful for these programs and for the Aboriginal organizations that deliver them," said Councillor Pagtakhan.

This funding will enable community-based organizations like Urban Circle to create a quality and caring learning environment for future Aboriginal educators.

Other projects receiving funding use mentorship and outreach programs to help students learn, develop self-esteem and stay in school. Several initiatives, like the Eyaa Keen Centre's program, offer the support and the tools needed to help individuals heal.  Projects like the Manitoba Urban Native Housing Association's Housing Audits are working to provide quality housing for urban Aboriginal people.

The projects funded today demonstrate the WPA's continued support of Winnipeg's Aboriginal residents and offer Aboriginal organizations a means to continue building the supports needed within the Aboriginal community.

The funds announced today come from Component I – Aboriginal Participation, of the Winnipeg Partnership Agreement. This program recognizes and builds upon economic development, training and employment or health and wellness opportunities for Winnipeg's Aboriginal citizens.

The Winnipeg Partnership Agreement was signed in May 2004. Community consultations are ongoing to develop the component programs. Interested parties are encouraged to consult the Web site, located at www.winnipegpartnership.mb.ca, for program details.

Federal funding for these projects is included in the fiscal framework. Western Economic Diversification Canada is the federal department responsible for administering this agreement, including the coordination of funding on behalf of the Government of Canada's Urban Aboriginal Strategy.

For additional information, contact:

Winnipeg Partnership Agreement
Aboriginal Participation Funding Announcement
Backgrounder

• Capacity for Change, $61,420 in WPA funding.

This project is coordinated through the Mothers of Red Nations (MORN). Funding supports a community development facilitator who is working with MORN to assist Aboriginal woman who are facing personal and family difficulties. The facilitator is also developing a plan for a resource centre that will provide ongoing support to women in the community.

• Aboriginal Youth Leadership Initiative, $68,415 in WPA funding.

Delivered by the Manitoba Aboriginal Youth Career Awareness Committee, the objective of this initiative will improve the social, economic and personal prospects of urban Aboriginal youth aged 15 to 24. Participants are encouraged to consider early career planning, to stay in school to reach educational attainment, and to develop leadership skills and cross-cultural awareness.

Aboriginal Teacher Assistant Pilot Project, $73,528 in WPA funding.

This project addresses the lack of Aboriginal teachers in the education system. Through collaboration among the Urban Circle Training Centre Inc., Winnipeg School Division, Dufferin School and the Winnipeg Foundation's Centennial Neighbourhood Project. It offers, Aboriginal candidates work placements and teacher mentors to facilitate a supportive learning environment.

• Aboriginal Youth Rebuilding Program, $126,765 in WPA funding.

The program works with at-risk Aboriginal youth to develop life, social, employment and interpersonal skills. This program has three phases: classroom work; work with employers to gain experience and job readiness, and resume and interview skills. It is expected that participants will gain the necessary employment skills and experience, which in turn steers youth away from crime.

• Youth Resource Center Outreach, $109,000 in WPA funding.

Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad Inc. operates a multi-service youth resource centre in the Lord Selkirk area of Winnipeg's north end. Funding supports two outreach workers and complements existing programs offered to at risk youth aged 11-18 years who are living on the streets and are at risk of abuse and exploitation.
                                   

• Restoring the Sacred II, $185,000 Project in WPA funding.
  Ka Ni Kanichihk Inc.'s project is a student buddy support endeavour that provides mentorship and support services to Aboriginal youth who relocate to Winnipeg to attend high school. The project strives to improve high school graduation rates of Aboriginal students.

• Standing Tall, $139,048 in WPA funding.
  The education initiative is a three-year pilot program of the Manitoba Métis Federation and the Winnipeg School Division. Funding supports a program coordinator, whose role is to actively promote a positive, healthy, culturally appropriate attitude and environment for middle school students.

• Aboriginal Youth Renovation Program, $76,000 in WPA funding.

Coordinated by Ogijiita Pimatiswin Kinamatwin (OPK) in collaboration with North End Housing Project Inc., this community-based project offers Aboriginal offenders the opportunity to learn renovation and construction skills. In addition to revitalizing Winnipeg's North End neighbourhoods and developing construction skills, OPK prepares educational plans for each participant that will create opportunities for participants.
                       

• Urban Canvass, $50,000 in WPA funding.

This program was originally designed to teach the basics of large-scale mural painting. Currently in its second year of programming, this project has evolved into a comprehensive commercial art program that provides training in drawing, sketching and basic painting techniques, as well as graphic design. The proponent, Graffiti Art Programming, offers an alternative to graffiti "vandalism," by providing youth with a chance to acquire art abilities and express creativity while developing self-esteem and employable skills.

• Transition Centre, $220,000 in WPA funding.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs plans to offer transition services to all Aboriginal people moving to Winnipeg. The centre provides culturally appropriate transition solutions for Aboriginals who seek assistance to establish a healthy, well-balanced life in an urban setting. Services include arranging temporary accommodations, assisting with opening bank accounts, obtaining health cards and enrolling children in school.

• Our Future/Our Youth, $168,308 in WPA funding.

The Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre is a non-profit Aboriginal organization that offers a variety of culturally relevant programs and services. Funding supports Youth Cultural Development Strategy and three cultural advisors, who coordinate the activities of the 13 programs offered including Aboriginal Scouts, Positive Adolescent Sexuality Support and the Ototema Program.
                                               

• Wii Chii Waa Ka Nak Indigenous Education Centre, $15,000 in WPA funding.
  The South East Resource Development Council Corp. and the University of Winnipeg collaborate to promote excellence in Aboriginal education. This funding will support summer camp for inner-city youth.

• Manitoba Urban Native Housing Association's Housing Audits, $100,000 in WPA funding.

The Manitoba Urban Native Housing Association (MUNHA) is contracting a professional engineer company to perform structural and energy audits of housing units owned and operated by Aboriginal housing organizations in Winnipeg. The final report will summarize the current condition of housing and include a five-year repair and energy efficiency plan.
                                               

• Youth Programming, $65,000 in WPA funding.

Wahbung Abinoonjiiag means Children of Tomorrow in Ojibwa. This charitable organization provides a safe and healing environment for children who have witnessed family violence. Funding supports the Youth Circle Program, which provides youth with one-on-one counseling, sharing circles, play therapy circles, play circles, healing circles as well as honouring and healing ceremonies.
                                               

• Ngashkitoomin Endashiyang, We Can Do It, All Of Us, Together, $100,000 in WPA funding.

This project provides Aboriginal people living with visible and invisible disabilities with an innovative, holistic and culturally sensitive approach to improve their quality of life. Coordinated by First Nations DisABILITY, funding supports an addition of a Community Liaison Worker, a Workshop/Resource Coordinator and a Consumer Services Clerk.

• Intensive Treatment for Trauma and Major Loss, $100,000 in WPA funding.

The proponent, Eyaa Keen Centre, is committed to training workers as Traditional Behavioural Health Treatment Specialists. They will work with Aboriginal clients who have experienced abuse, family violence, major loss or have been through treatment for substance abuse. This new program is culturally sensitive and incorporates a spiritually-based Aboriginal psychological service delivery approach.

• Service Provider Forum, $20,000 in WPA funding.

This Forum, coordinated through the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, will give service providers, governments and other stakeholders, the opportunity to discuss program and service needs of Aboriginal people. The result will be a more comprehensive delivery service network that will better respond to the needs of urban Aboriginals. The forum will also identify programming gaps that can be corrected.

• Student Mentor Aboriginal Rolemodel Tutorship (S.M.A.R.T.), $90,000 in WPA funding.

The Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement Centre (WASAC) is providing cross-mentoring opportunities for 40 Aboriginal students.  By addressing the issues and needs of youth within the educational system, this community-based project gives children and youth opportunities for personal growth and development.

• Summer Learning Enrichment Program, $21,940 in WPA funding.

This project by the Social Planning Council of Winnipeg and its partners addressed the issue of summer learning loss. This program provided 120 kindergarten to grade six students from low income families living in the inner city with a six-week intensive summer learning program. Non-traditional learning methods helped participants to improve reading, writing and mathematical skills.