April 5, 2004

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA — The Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and B.C. Minister responsible for the Urban Aboriginal Strategy, on behalf of the Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of Labour and Minister responsible for Homelessness, and the Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of State and Minister responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, today announced the Government of Canada’s contribution of over $1.4 million toward the Anderson Lodge Healing Centre for Aboriginal Women. The announcement was made at the Centre’s re-opening ceremony.

The lodge, operated by the Circle of Eagles Lodge Society, will provide shelter and services for Aboriginal women.

“I would like to congratulate Anderson Lodge for its ongoing commitment to providing shelter and support for Aboriginal women in Vancouver,” said Minister Owen. “The Government of Canada is proud to support this endeavour, which is meeting the needs of its community and making a positive difference.”

The Government of Canada has invested $823,880 through the National Homelessness Initiative’s Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative. A further $489,000 is being contributed through the National Homelessness Initiative’s Urban Aboriginal Homelessness fund, in partnership with the Lu’ma Native Housing Society. In addition, through the Shelter Enhancement Program, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has contributed $180,000 to cover capital renovations costs. Finally, the Urban Aboriginal Strategy is funding $60,000 to furnish the lodge and help them obtain provincial accreditation.

The funding will go toward performing upgrades and repairs to the building, and providing a 10-bed transitional shelter for Aboriginal women. The funding will also assist Anderson Lodge in providing personal skills development, substance-abuse assistance, and access to cultural healing programs.

The Government of Canada launched the NHI in December 1999 to support communities’ efforts to help Canadians out of homelessness. Over $1 billion is being spent towards the federal government’s commitment to addressing homelessness in Canada. Since the NHI was launched, the Government of Canada has supported 221 projects, with a total of almost $52.2 million to alleviate homelessness in British Columbia and the Yukon.

Funding for this project was provided for in the 2004 Federal Budget.

For more information on the Government of Canada’s National Homelessness Initiative, visit our web site at www.homelessness.gc.ca

For more information, contact:

Sara Clemmer
City Facilitator – GVRD,
Human Resources Skills Development Canada
(604)666-9157

Denis D’Amour
Minister Bradshaw’s Office
(506) 851-3419

Marg White
Executive Director, Anderson Lodge
(604) 874-9610

BACKGROUNDER

ANDERSON LODGE HEALING CENTRE FOR ABORIGINAL WOMEN

The Anderson Lodge Healing Centre for Aboriginal Women is a 10-bed barrier-free shelter that serves Aboriginal women. The Lodge provides shelter and offers services such as life-skills and employment readiness training, alcohol and drug counseling, and healing programs.

The Lodge is operated by the Circle of Eagles Lodge Society.

The Circle of Eagles Lodge Society, formerly the Allied Indian and Métis Society, has operated for 32 years. The Society works to re-integrate Aboriginal offenders and marginalized members of the Aboriginal community into the greater Aboriginal community. The Circle of Eagles Lodge Society is an active member of the Aboriginal Homelessness Steering Committee in the GVRD.

PARTNERSHIP CONTRIBUTIONS

Human Resource Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)

National Homelessness Initiative:

HRSDC’s National Homelessness Initiative has contributed $823,880 through its Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative to cover operating and staffing costs. It will also contribute a further $489,000 through the Urban Aboriginal Homelessness fund, in partnership with the Lu’ma Native Housing Society.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC):

Through the Shelter Enhancement Program, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has contributed $180,000 to cover capital renovations costs.

Urban Aboriginal Strategy (UAS):

The Urban Aboriginal Strategy is funding $60,000 to furnish the lodge and help them obtain provincial accreditation.