Minister Copps Announces Support for Urban Aboriginal Youth in Manitoba
WINNIPEG, November 13, 2002 -- Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps today announced funding of $1,901,110 to assist urban Aboriginal youth in Manitoba in enhancing their economic, social and personal prospects."The Government of Canada is committed to improve the lives of urban Aboriginal youth in Manitoba," said Minister Copps. "This funding will contribute to the personal growth and skills development of Aboriginal youth in a supportive, relevant and meaningful way."
Sixteen organizations in Manitoba are receiving funding from Canadian Heritage under the Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centre Initiative to deliver 18 projects. These projects will enable urban Aboriginal youth to develop education- and employment-related skills, increase their awareness of traditional Aboriginal values and practices, and develop leadership skills. Closing the gap in life chances between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians is critical to building a better future for the country.
Among the organizations funded are Alliance Boxing Inc., for their holistic project which includes a Stay-in-School program; Red Roots Community Theatre Inc., for their "Summer Academy in Theatre and Drama for Aboriginal Students"; and Owiisookaage(g) Inc., for their drop-in/resource centre project emphasizing the development of leadership capacity.
The management and administration of project funding in Winnipeg are based on recommendations made by a local Aboriginal Youth Advisory Committee, a non-partisan and representative group of urban Aboriginal youth between the ages of 16 and 29.
Funding for these projects was provided for in the December 2001 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.
Information:
Sonya-Kim St-Julien
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
BACKGROUNDER
The Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centres (UMAYC) Initiative provides urban Aboriginal youth, ages 15 to 24, with accessible, Aboriginal community-based, culturally relevant and supportive projects, and professional and peer counselling, to improve their economic, social and personal prospects.
The UMAYC is managed and delivered nationally, through the National Association of Friendship Centres, the Metis National Council and its provincial affiliates, and the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and its regional affiliates. Funding for the UMAYC initiative is administered by the Department of Canadian Heritage in Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert, Edmonton and Calgary.
Eligible recipients include, but are not limited to, local friendship centres; Aboriginal representative, service delivery and voluntary organizations; Aboriginal academic institutions; Aboriginal cultural, educational and recreational organizations/centres; Aboriginal youth and women's organizations; and coalitions of such Aboriginal organizations.
The16 recipients of funding under the UMAYC Initiative for 2002/03 are:
Alliance Boxing Inc. $44,000
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Inc. $182,500
Broadway Neighbourhood Centre $40,450
Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development Inc. $169,000
Children of the Earth School $90,000
Circle of Life Thunderbird House $222,500
Lord Selkirk Aboriginal Women's Group Inc. $51,600
Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre Inc. $147,300
Manitoba Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Council Inc. $170,900
Marlene Street Tenants Association Inc. $36,000
Owiisookaage(g) Inc. $181,000
Red Roots Community Theatre Inc. $20,060
Rossbrook House Inc. $70,000
The Salvation Army in Canada $180,000
Winnipeg Boys and Girls Club Inc. $75,800
Winnipeg Metis Association Inc. $220,000
Total $1,901,110
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