Mr. Chairman,

Canada is very pleased to participate in the dialogue on Indigenous culture.

Canada is a unique and diverse country, shaped by its history and deeply influenced by Aboriginal peoples and culture. This is reflected in the Constitution of our country. Canadian diversity is expressed through our values and commitments. Our priorities include fostering cultural participation and engagement, creating active citizenship and participation, strengthening connections among all Canadians and recognizing the importance of cultural diversity.

In Canada, cultural diversity has meant remaining open to the many diverse cultural influences and forms of expression that the world has to offer, while at the same time, ensuring that Canadian stories and voices are heard. Canada is very active in the promotion of cultural diversity both nationally and internationally. Canadians take pride in working in partnership with other states and organizations to promote cultural diversity. We are working closely with other states within the International Network on Cultural Policy, UNESCO, at the Summit of the Americas, the Organization of American States (OAS), La Francophonie, the Council of Europe, to promote and further cultural diversity. Canada has shown its commitment to the promotion and conservation of Indigenous cultures.

The federal government expressed its commitment to working with Aboriginal peoples to preserve, revitalize and promote their languages and cultures in the Speech from the Throne (2002) and has demonstrated its commitment by dedicating $170 million for these objectives and by announcing that an Aboriginal Language and Culture Centre will be launched in the year 2004-2005. The government would like to ensure Aboriginal stewardship over their languages and cultures in order to preserve this vital part of our national heritage. Aboriginal youth are pivotal to inter-generational transmission of languages and cultures. The proposed Centre will give a national focus to efforts across the country that will assist in information sharing and, build on successes throughout Aboriginal communities. The Centre's policy recognizes that preserving these oral languages is at the heart of preserving Aboriginal cultures,promoting strong Aboriginal identity and establishing a healthy, vibrant sense of connection to Canada on the part of the Aboriginal peoples.

The Government of Canada is committed to the well being of the fast growing Aboriginal youth population. The federal government has developed and sponsored many initiatives aimed at advancing the cultural interests of the Aboriginal community. The government funds the Aboriginal Friendship Centres Program which provides core funding to local Friendship centres for Aboriginal people living off reserve. The Friendship centres provide funding directly to urban youth giving them the support they need for a variety of culturally appropriate programs. The Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centres Initiative, is also focussed on youth and addresses the needs and issues they are facing in today's urban societies. Young Canada Works for Aboriginal Urban Youth is likewise designed to provide Aboriginal youth with the capacity to build on, and strengthen their culture while accessing the government's summer work experience program.

A National Gathering on Aboriginal Artistic Expression was also held in 2002. The Gathering, brought together about 250 delegates, representing the main stakeholders from Canada's Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal artistic and cultural communities. The intent was, in part, to give the federal government and the private sector an opportunity to learn more, not only about the opportunities for Aboriginal artists, but also about the challenges they face.

Furthermore, Canada declared June 21st National Aboriginal Day and helps fund the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards in order to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of Aboriginal peoples to Canadian society.

Canada also participated in the North American Indigenous Games in the Summer of 2002, in addition to providing funding for that event. This initiative was developed to provide a cuIturaIly appropriate competition venue for junior Aboriginal athIetes to express and enhance their cultural heritage. In fact, Canada had over 5000 participants at those Games, which were a major success.

FinaIly, we would like to once again express our support for the work of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. We are proud of the work we have done and are eager ta share our experiences, yet we realise that there is much work to be done.

We believe that it is both possible and essential for indigenous people to preserve their culture and heritage while being fulI participants in the economies of the countries in which they live. We encourage the work of the Permanent Forum toward this objective and we encourage other states and indigenous peoples to share their best practices in the hope that we will ail learn from each other.

Thank you.

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