News Release
2002-72
October 31, 2002
For immediate release
The Government of Canada announces early childhood development initiative for Aboriginal
children
ONEIDA NATION OF THE THAMES, ONTARIO - The Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew,
Secretary of State (Children and Youth) today announced, on behalf of the Honourable Anne
McLellan, Minister of Health, the Honourable Jane Stewart, Minister of Human Resources
Development Canada, and the Honourable Robert D. Nault, Minister of Indian Affairs and
Northern Development, a funding allocation of $320 million over the next five years for
a strategy to improve and expand Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs and services
for First Nations and other Aboriginal children. This strategy complements the Federal,
Provincial and Territorial ECD Agreement announced by First Ministers in September 2000.
Today's announcement is a new investment to expand the Aboriginal Head Start Program for
Aboriginal children living on and off reserve and to enhance and expand the First Nations
and Inuit Child Care program. Through the federal strategy, the Government of Canada will
take additional measures to address the gap in life chances between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal
children. The investment also enables the Government of Canada to intensify its efforts
to address Fetal Alcohol Syndrome/Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAS/FAE) in First Nations on reserve.
Funds will also support a national survey on Aboriginal children and research at the community
level.
"Providing Aboriginal children with a good start in life is essential for their health
and successful development," said Ms. Blondin-Andrew. "The Government of Canada will continue
to work with Aboriginal organizations, provinces and territories and key stakeholders to
ensure that every Aboriginal child has an opportunity to realize his or her full potential."
Ms. Blondin-Andrew made the announcement while visiting the Oneida Nation of the Thames,
a First Nations community in Southwestern Ontario. She was joined at the event by members
of the Oneida community.
The federal strategy will be implemented by Health Canada, Human Resources Development
Canada and Indian Affairs and Northern Development in consultation with Aboriginal organizations
and communities. It will:
- improve and expand existing ECD programs and services for Aboriginal children, with
a particular focus on programming for First Nations children on reserve;
- work towards the development of a "single window" approach to ensure better integration
and coordination; and,
- introduce new research initiatives to improve understanding of how Aboriginal children
are doing, and what can be done to ensure their healthy development.
Funding for this project was provided for in the December 2001 budget and is therefore
built into the existing fiscal framework.
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Media Inquiries:
Farah Mohamed
Office of Anne McLellan
Minister of Health
(613) 957-1694
Margot Geduld
Media Relations
Health Canada
(613) 957-1588
Kimberly Arp
Director of Communications
Secretary of State (Children and Youth)
(819) 953-8385
Nicole Beauchamp
Director of Communications
Human Resources Development Canada
(819) 953-2353
Dianne Clarke
Media Relations
Human Resources Development Canada
(819) 994-5559
Alastair Mullin
Director of Communications
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
(819) 997-0002
Patricia Valladao
Media Relations
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
(819) 997-8404
Public Inquiries (Health Canada):
(613) 957-2991
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