Government of Canada Promotes Michif in British Columbia
VANCOUVER, January 13, 2005 -- Hedy Fry, Member of Parliament (Vancouver Centre), on behalf of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women Liza Frulla, today announced $45,250 in funding for the Métis Provincial Council of British Columbia (MPCBC). The funds will enable the organization to deliver the Aboriginal Languages Initiative in the province."I am very pleased that our Government is able to support the preservation and promotion of the Michif language in British Columbia," said Dr. Fry. "Language is at the heart of Aboriginal peoples' culture and identity, and it is also a foundation for building sustainable communities."
"Michif is one of the many Aboriginal languages unique to Canada that are endangered," said Minister Frulla. "I am proud that our Government is committed to working with Métis people to preserve their language for future generations. In so doing, we are safeguarding a part of Canadian and world heritage that could otherwise be a permanent loss for us all."
The MPCBC represents the political, legal, social and economic interests of the Métis people in British Columbia to local, provincial and federal levels of governments, funding agencies and other related bodies. It has managed delivery of the Aboriginal Languages Initiative in the province since 1998. The funding announced today will allow the organization's Métis Language Steering Committee to implement and monitor Michif workshops in seven regions, as well as a Provincial Conference of the Michif Language.
The Aboriginal Languages Initiative maintains and revitalizes Aboriginal languages by increasing the number of Aboriginal language speakers, by encouraging language transmission from generation to generation, and by expanding usage of Aboriginal languages in family and community settings. In 2002, the Government of Canada committed $172.5 million in funding over 11 years towards fostering Aboriginal languages and cultures. It provided for an extension of the Aboriginal Languages Initiative until the creation of an Aboriginal Languages and Cultures Centre, which will be operated as an arms-length, not-for-profit corporation under the stewardship of Aboriginal peoples.
Financial assistance is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage through its Aboriginal Affairs Branch. The Branch encourages participation in and contribution to Canadian society through support for Aboriginal representative organizations, Aboriginal women's groups, Aboriginal youth, friendship centres and Aboriginal languages.
Funding announced today was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget.
Information:
Jean-Philippe Côté
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of
Canadian Heritage and
Minister responsible for
Status of Women
(819) 997-7788
Barb Snelgrove
Special Assistant and
Media Relations Officer
Office of Hedy Fry, M.P.
(604) 666-0651
Myriam Brochu
Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-9314
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