News release
GOVERNMENT OF CANADA SUPPORTING RURAL ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Brandon, Manitoba - April 29, 2005 - Aboriginal Communities have an important role to play in building a stronger rural Canada. The Government of Canada will be partnering with the West Region Child and Family Services Committee Inc. in Erickson, Manitoba in an innovative approach to rural Aboriginal community development that is making a difference. The result is increased high-school graduation rates, a better sense of Aboriginal identity, and improved teamwork, communication, parenting, employability and problem-solving skills.
Wayne Easter, Parliamentary Secretary with Special Emphasis on Rural Development announced a $600,200 investment over the next three years to see whether this approach can be successful in mobilizing other rural Aboriginal communities.
"Community development that really works—that meets the needs of the community and whose benefits are long lasting—starts with the vision, the ideas and the energy of that community," said Mr. Easter. "This approach has been used successfully in the Skownan First Nation in Manitoba. We now want to test it in other First Nations communities."
The approach is sensitive to and respectful of the needs of Aboriginal communities, and builds strong partnerships. It evolved from the Vision Seekers Initiative in the Skownan First Nation community.
"When Vision Seekers first began, we did not have a specific approach or program in mind to overcome our challenges," explains Stella Bone, Executive Director, West Region Child and Family Services Committee Inc. "But we did have a strong desire to work together to improve the lives of our children and create a vibrancy within our youth community."
The result is increased high-school graduation rates, a better sense of Aboriginal identity, and improved teamwork, communication, parenting, employability and problem-solving skills.
"The funding announced today will allow this innovative community vision to continue at the Skownan First Nation and also help put together both the lessons learned and success stories so they can be shared with other Aboriginal communities," said Mr. Easter. "It will be used to test the model in three other First Nations communities in Manitoba."
The information gained through the Models for Rural Development and Community Capacity Building Program (The Models Program) will contribute to the understanding of what approaches (models) to community development and capacity building work in rural, remote and northern communities. The information we collect will be useful for all levels of government in developing programs, services and policies for rural Canadians. The information will also directly benefit communities.
Funding for this research initiative comes from the five-year, $55-million renewal of the Canadian Rural Partnership, announced in June 2002. The Government of Canada believes that vibrant communities and a sustainable resource base are the foundations for a strong rural Canada.
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For more information, please contact:
Rural Communications
Rural Secretariat
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Phone: (604) 666-1677
or: (604) 787-6637
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