Government of Canada Announces Funding for the Inuvialuit Communications Society
INUVIK, July 21, 2003 -- Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Secretary of State (Children and Youth) and Member of Parliament (Western Arctic), on behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps, today announced funding of $389,705 for the Inuvialuit Communications Society (ICS). This funding will enable the ICS to continue to produce two series of television programs: Tamapta is produced in Inuvialuktun and Suaangan is produced in Inuvialuktun and English."The Government of Canada is pleased to support the ICS, which has been producing and broadcasting Inuvialuktun television programming to the 5000 Inuvialuit of the Western Arctic since 1983," said Ms. Blondin-Andrew. "By working with such commited organizations as the ICS, the Government of Canada is able to provide the assistance Aboriginal people need to preserve and enhance their languages and culture. All Canadians not just those who live in the north benefit from the presence of a vibrant and living northern culture in Canada."
The mandate of the Inuvialuit Communications Society is to strengthen, preserve, and enhance the cultural and social identity of the Inuvialuit; to maintain and promote the lifestyles and culture of Inuvialuit; and to provide a vehicle for the exchange of ideas that promote a better understanding of the culture, identity, language, mythology, social patterns, and presentations that give meaning to being Inuvialuit in the Western Arctic.
Financial assistance is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage's Aboriginal Affairs Branch through its Northern Native Broadcast Access Program. The Branch encourages participation in and contribution to Canadian society through support to Aboriginal representative organizations, Aboriginal women's groups, Aboriginal youth, and friendship centres, and through the promotion of Aboriginal languages and cultural diversity.
Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2003 federal Budget.
Information:
Naline Rampersad
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
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