Government of Canada Supports Saskatoon Environmentors Co-operative (Core Neighbourhood Youth Co-op)

SASKATOON, July 15, 2008 – Aboriginal young people of Saskatoon will have the opportunity to enhance their personal development, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada.

The Honourable Carol Skelton, Member of Parliament (Saskatoon-Rosetown-Biggar), on behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages and Minister for La Francophonie, today announced funding for the Saskatoon Environmentors Co-operative (known as the Core Neighbourhood Youth Co-op).The $40,000 in funding will go towards this organization’s Integrating Counselling, Culture, and Skills project. This project will provide Aboriginal young people at risk, between the ages of 15 and 25, with increased access to programs and one-on-one support in the areas of wellness, leadership and identity, and learning and skill development.

“The Government of Canada is committed to helping urban, Aboriginal young people reach their full potential,” said Minister Verner. “This project will allow them to become more active participants in shaping their future and in contributing to the growth of their community and Canada.”

“Our Government recognizes the obstacles that Aboriginal young people must overcome and is committed to addressing the challenges Aboriginal Canadians face,” said Mrs. Skelton. “We are proud to support organizations that provide Aboriginal young people with new opportunities and equip them to become leaders and role models.”

“The funding from Canadian Heritage will allow us to add counselling and cultural programming to our skills-building and academic programs,” said Anita Verlangen, Executive Director of the Core Neighbourhood Youth Co-op. “This will help us to provide more holistic support for the young people we work with.”

The Government of Canada has provided this funding through the Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centre (UMAYC) component of the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Aboriginal Peoples’ Program. This program supports community and culturally-based projects for urban Aboriginal young people to improve their social, economic, and personal prospects and to strengthen their cultural identity.

Information:

Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages and Minister of La Francophonie
819 997-7788

Angela Cassie
A/Director of Communications and Executive Services
Prairies and Northern Region
Canadian Heritage
204 983-4367