Government of Canada Supports Manitoba's Aboriginal Women
WINNIPEG, 9 décembre, 2004 -- President of the Treasury Board of Canada and Member of Parliament (Winnipeg South) Reg Alcock, on behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women Liza Frulla, today announced $94,962 in funding for the Mother of Red Nations (MORN) Women's Council of Manitoba. The funds will enable the Council to help Aboriginal women take an active part in their communities. Two MORN projects will benefit from the Government of Canada funding: "Our Healing Hands" and the Bill C-31 research project."Aboriginal women in Manitoba must have access to tools and skills enabling them to make positive changes in their lives," said Minister Alcock. "MORN is playing a key role by helping the province's Aboriginal women find strength with the help of their communities, so that they can deal with the difficulties facing them."
"Our government is committed to helping Aboriginal people obtain the support and resources they need to look to the future with hope," said Minister Frulla. "I am delighted to support an organization that helps Aboriginal women exert an influence on the social, cultural, economic and political life of our society."
Under the "Our Healing Hands" project, MORN will provide to Aboriginal women information, networking opportunities and the support they need to meet the challenges facing them. MORN will also organize a national Aboriginal women's conference in Winnipeg. The conference will address physical and systemic abuse of Aboriginal women, among other issues.
The Bill C-31 research project will explore the impact of the proposed legislation on Aboriginal women and families. The ultimate objective of the project is to enable Aboriginal women to influence government policy and participate in making decisions that affect them.
Financial assistance is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage through its Aboriginal Women's Program, which seeks to enable Aboriginal women to express their concerns about the policies, programs, legislation and decision making that affect their social, cultural, economic and political well-being within their own communities and Canadian society.
Funding announced today was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget.
Information:
Donald Boulanger
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of
Canadian Heritage and
Minister responsible for
Status of Women
(819) 997-7788
Kelly Morgan
Director of Communications
Office of the President of
Treasury Board
(613) 957-2666
Adrian Wortley
Manager, Communications
Canadian Heritage
(204) 983-7875
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