Métis Announce ActNow BC Initiatives

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
2007TSA0041-001175
Sept. 21, 2007

Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts

KELOWNA – B.C. Métis communities will be taking steps to encourage healthier lifestyles in support of ActNow BC goals, announced Michael de Jong, Minister for Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation.

A total of nine projects are being funded by the National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health (NCCAH) to Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC). The projects include the promotion of wellness and chronic disease prevention strategies and increasing physical activity options in communities. The total funding for the nine projects is $600,000.“The Métis population has significantly higher rates of arthritis, heart disease and diabetes than other British Columbians,” said de Jong. “We know that these chronic diseases can be preventable through proper nutrition and increased physical activity. These projects will start to pave the road to healthier populations across B.C.”

The role of MNBC will be to provide communities with the tools they need to develop their own healthy living programs. ActNow BC projects will build on the uniqueness of each community and assist in developing health promotion programs and services. Key partnerships have already been established, including those with the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Diabetes Association. Programs include Cooking for Your Life!, where participants learn about nutritious cooking and meal preparation, and the Honour Your Health Challenge, which focuses on eliminating tobacco misuse.

“The Métis people are moving in the right direction in establishing healthy goals that will have a profound impact on their overall health,” said Gordon Hogg, Minister of State for ActNow BC. “From nutritious cooking to walking programs, ActNow BC programs will help reach the goal of making British Columbia the healthiest region ever to host an Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.”

The NCCAH received $6 million in funding from the Province in March of this year and granted $600,000 in funding to Métis Nation British Columbia to create ActNow BC programs in communities across the province. The funding is part of the ActNow BC initiative to encourage British Columbians to lead healthier lives through increased physical activity, healthy eating, elimination of tobacco use and healthy pregnancies.

“We see the partnership with MNBC as an important opportunity to facilitate improved health prospects for Métis peoples in British Columbia,” said Margo Greenwood, scientific director for the National Collaborating Centre for Aboriginal Health. “We can do this by supporting Métis-specific projects, encouraging partnerships that meet ActNow BC goals and assisting Métis people within B.C. to access the information and tools they need.”

MNBC is holding its annual general meeting this weekend in Kelowna, where over 700 delegates are taking part. The AGM will feature a series of workshops, cultural activities, a trade show and a gala banquet.

“We need and want our people to be healthy; to live healthy lifestyles,” said Bruce Dumont, President of Métis Nation British Columbia. “We will be promoting our partnership with the ActNow BC initiative throughout all of our regions in B.C., including specific initiatives for women and youth. I encourage all Métis people to engage with us in this exciting initiative.”

For more information on ActNow BC, visit www.actnowbc.ca online.

-30-

Media contact:

Trish Fougner
Public Affairs Bureau
ActNow BC
250 356-9814
250 920-8542 cell.