The Government of Canada's Urban Aboriginal Strategy is making a difference for Winnipeg's Aboriginal population

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WINNIPEG, MANITOBA (JULY 19, 2010) –The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, today announced funding of $200,000 to go toward Winnipeg's Urban Circle Training Centre.

The funding is specifically targeted toward the Urban Circle's Project Makoonsag, a family centre for Aboriginal children, youth, Elders and adults, and complements funding from partners including other levels of government as well as the private sector. This new program will offer an intergenerational approach to educational outcomes, life skills and crime prevention.

For more than 20 years, Urban Circle has provided employment counselling and accredited training to approximately 350 urban Aboriginal Winnipeggers annually.

Other successful UAS projects in Winnipeg include the Native Women's Transition Centre “Completing the Circle” project which provides peer assistance to Aboriginal women who have chosen to leave abusive and violent relationships.

The Centre for Aboriginal Human Resource Development “Aboriginal Aerospace Employment Initiative” which is a partnership program with the Manitoba aerospace industry and the Neeginan Institute of Applied Technology, is providing education, training and employment for Aboriginal adults and youth in the hi-tech aerospace industry.

“The mandate of the federal government's Urban Aboriginal Strategy is to focus strongly on projects which promote job training, skills development and entrepreneurship,” said Minister Strahl. “Project Makoonsag is another positive example of the impact partnerships can have in tackling the real issues affecting a growing urban Aboriginal population in some of Canada's major centres.”

Through the Urban Aboriginal Strategy, Canada partners with the Aboriginal community, local organizations, municipal and provincial governments and with the private sector.

A Memorandum of Collaboration signed between the Government of Canada, Province of Manitoba and City of Winnipeg is a result of the successful partnerships which have been achieved through the Urban Aboriginal Strategy.

Since 2007, $2.8 million has been invested in 55 projects in Winnipeg through the Urban Aboriginal Strategy. Combined with in-kind support from our partners, the value of the 55 projects has exceeded $10 million in investment which strikes at the heart of the UAS of “Progress through Partnerships.”

Currently, Winnipeg is one of 13 cities to have adopted the UAS including Thompson, Manitoba.

To help respond effectively to the needs of Aboriginal people living in key urban centres, in 2007, the Government of Canada made a long-term commitment to urban Aboriginal issues by investing $68.5 million over five years in the Urban Aboriginal Strategy.

For further information on projects funded under the Urban Aboriginal Strategy.

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