Government of Canada Supports Next Generation Guardians
NATUASHISH, March 1, 2004 -- Lawrence O'Brien, Member of Parliament (Labrador), on behalf of the Honourable Hélène Chalifour Scherrer, Minister of Canadian Heritage, today announced funding for the Next Generation Guardians (NGG) to help the group produce three community newsletters. The NGG is composed of respected Innu women, several of whom hold leadership roles in Natuashish."The Government of Canada is committed to supporting Aboriginal women in their communities as they work to advance equality and promote a healthy community," said Mr. O'Brien. "We are particularly pleased to support this group, as we believe they have a tremendous role to play in advancing the Innu Healing Strategy for the community of Natuashish."
"The vitality of Aboriginal communities is a priority of the new Government, as reflected in the recent Speech from the Throne," added Minister Chalifour Scherrer. "It is extremely important that we support equality issues and provide essential information to these communities. I am very pleased that this information will be provided to them in the Innu-aimun language."
Funding of $12,000 will enable the NGG to produce three bilingual community newsletters (English and Innu-aimun) during 2004. These newsletters will contain information on women's activities, health and nutrition, profiles of women and elders, poems, stories, legends, and other information relevant to the whole community. The group will work closely with students at the local school to develop the newsletters, which will be distributed widely throughout the community.
Financial assistance is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage through its Aboriginal Women's Program. This program seeks to enable Aboriginal women to influence the policies, programs, legislation, and decision making that affect their social, cultural, economic, and political well-being, both in their communities and in Canadian society. It includes components to address issues around family violence and to support the full participation of Aboriginal women in consultations and decision-making processes.
Funding for this program was provided for in the February 2003 federal Budget.
Information:
Mylène Dupéré
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
Lawrence O'Brien
Member of Parliament
(613) 996-4630
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