Government of Canada Supports the Nova Scotia Native Women's Association
TRURO, March 14, 2005 -- Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Member of Parliament (Halifax West) Geoff Regan, on behalf of Minister of Canadian Heritage and Minister responsible for Status of Women Liza Frulla, today announced $40,648 in funding for the Nova Scotia Native Women's Association. The funds will enable the group to help Aboriginal women participate fully in the growth of their communities. Two projects will benefit from the Government of Canada funding: a conference on family violence entitled "Healing", and a series of information sessions on Bill C-31."The Nova Scotia Native Women's Association plays a key role in helping Aboriginal women in this province deal with the difficulties that they face in their communities," said Minister Regan. "I applaud the commitment of this group to providing Aboriginal women with the tools and resources they need to ensure their full participation in our society."
"Our government is committed to improving the living conditions of Aboriginal women," said Minister Frulla. "I am delighted to support the members of this organization in their efforts to build a brighter future for Nova Scotia's Aboriginal women, their families and their communities."
The Nova Scotia Native Women's Association is a non-profit organization representing approximately 5,000 Aboriginal women in Nova Scotia. The Association addresses the difficulties experienced by Mi'kmaq women, as well as their aspirations. The funding announced today will give the group the means to organize a conference on the topic of family violence, as well as information sessions explaining the impact of Bill C-31 on Aboriginal women. The two projects are aimed at enabling Aboriginal women to influence government policy and to participate in making decisions that affect them.
Financial assistance is provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage through its Aboriginal Women's Program. The program's objective is to enable Aboriginal women to express their concerns regarding the policies, programs, legislation and decision making that affect their social, cultural, economic and political well-being within their own communities and in Canadian society. The program has two components: a family violence initiative and a self-government initiative to help Aboriginal women to participate in the consultations and decision-making process.
Funding announced today was provided for in the February 2005 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
Brian Underhill
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
(613) 992-3474
Myriam Brochu
Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-9314
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