Government of Canada Invests in Aboriginal Youth in Calgary

Calgary, September 1, 2010 – On behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Lee Richardson, Member of Parliament (Calgary Centre), today announced funding for Calgary-area Aboriginal youth projects, including New Tribe magazine, the Aboriginal Youth Animation Project, and the Niipaitapiiyssin Leadership Program”The Government of Canada is committed to helping Aboriginal youth gain the skills they need to achieve their goals,” said Minister Moore. “It’s great to partner with organizations that help young Aboriginal women and men gain confidence and share positive stories about their culture.”

“I am pleased that our Government is providing funding to Aboriginal youth initiatives here in Alberta,” said Mr. Richardson. “We are proud to support organizations that help young Aboriginal people gain independence and succeed in life.”

“Canadian Heritage’s support allows the Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth to continue to publish New Tribe magazine, which is a staple in our Aboriginal youth community,” said LeeAnne Sicker, Executive Director of the Society. “Our monthly magazine brings culturally appropriate, positive, and inspirational messages to our community, while showcasing Aboriginal peoples’ achievements.”

The Government of Canada has provided funding of $243,800 through the Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth initiative (formerly known as the Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centre Initiative) of the Department of Canadian Heritage. For more information about the projects, see the attached backgrounder.

For more information (media only), please contact:

Matthew Deacon
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and
Official Languages
819-997-7788
matthew.deacon@pch.gc.ca

Perry Boldt
A/Regional Manager
Communications
Western Region
Canadian Heritage
604-666-5739

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca

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BACKGROUNDER

The Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth (CCAY) initiative provides Aboriginal young people aged 10 to 24, living in urban settings across Canada, with programming that incorporates Aboriginal values, cultures, and traditional practices in projects and activities designed to improve their social, economic, and personal prospects and to strengthen their cultural identity.

On September 1, 2010, Canadian Heritage announced its support through CCAY for the following Calgary-area projects:

•Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth, New Tribe magazine, 2010-2011, $152,800
The Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth (USAY) is a not-for-profit Aboriginal organization that publishes New Tribe, a magazine that aims to be the voice of urban Aboriginal youth in Calgary and beyond. Through its print and online formats, the magazine offers content to urban Aboriginal youth to promote positive lifestyle choices, including monthly feature articles on employment and education. New Tribe actively encourages its readers to contribute to the magazine by submitting artwork, fiction, poetry, or journalism.

•Quickdraw Animation Society, Aboriginal Youth Animation Project, 2010-2011, $60,000
Quickdraw Animation Society is a not-for-profit organization that is engaging Aboriginal youth in documenting traditional stories, language, and other expressions of culture through the medium of animation. Through its Aboriginal Youth Animation Project (June 2010 to March 2011), the organization will get a group of 10 young Aboriginal people involved in the art and technical aspects of animation, which will allow them to complete culturally relevant short animations and a documentary.

•YMCA Calgary, Niipaitapiiyssin Leadership Program, 2010-2011, $31,000
YMCA Calgary is working in partnership with USAY to deliver the Niipaitapiiyssin Leadership Program. The project runs from May to Sept 2010 and will consist of Aboriginal youth leadership education and training, as well as activities rooted in Aboriginal culture.