Government of Canada Announces Funding for the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation
INUVIK, October 20, 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 $258,506 for the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation to support its efforts to offer language programs to Aboriginal youth."The Government of Canada is committed to working with Aboriginal communities to promote and enhance their languages, which are among the most endangered in the world," said Ms. Blondin-Andrew. "This funding will help provide additional opportunities for young Aboriginal children to learn their ancestral languages and enhance their cultural pride."
The Inuvialuit Cultural Resource Centre of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation will use the funding to support its Child Development Centres, which will operate language programs using local fluent speakers. These centres provide Aboriginal children with an environment where traditional languages can be learned in an informal, natural way. Other activities include the production of a children's TV show; the production of a music CD and song book; and the recording and translation of Elders' stories.
Financial assistance is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage's Aboriginal Languages Initiative (ALI). The objective of the ALI is to maintain and revitalize Aboriginal languages for future generations by increasing the number of speakers, encouraging transmission from generation to generation, and expanding usage in family and community settings.
Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2003 federal Budget.
Information:
Sonya-Kim St-Julien
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
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