Ministerial Statement – Aboriginal Groups Address Lifestyle Challenges

Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
April 1, 2009

The following statement was issued by the Honourable Patty Pottle, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

I rise today to provide Honourable Members with an update on the Suicide and Detrimental Lifestyles Grant Program that is administered by the Aboriginal Affairs Branch within the Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs.We were pleased in Budget 2009 to maintain the funding for this program at its present level of $100,000. This government is dedicated to increase awareness by Aboriginal groups of programs and services available to them and to further encourage their participation. The Suicide and Detrimental Lifestyles Program is an excellent example of the progress we have made on this commitment.

I am pleased to report, thanks in part to dedicated officials in the Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs working closely with Aboriginal groups, that during this past year we received a number of applications under the program. The department will soon have issued virtually all of the $100,000 we have budgeted for this fiscal year.

Allow me to provide a few brief examples of how Aboriginal groups are applying this funding. The Newfoundland Aboriginal Women’s Network used it to conduct suicide intervention training; the Miawpukek First Nation of Conne River is working to establish a Young Women’s Cultural Club; the Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation will hold a youth and elder forum to address suicide prevention, mental health and family wellness; the Mushuau Innu first Nation will hold workshops with youth and the community concerning suicide, addictions and other challenges, the Labrador Metis Nation will deliver an Anti-Bullying campaign; and, the Nunatsiavut Government and the Labrador-Grenfell Regional Health Authority will collaborate to develop a plan to achieve a better understanding of suicide in Labrador Aboriginal communities.

This funding is being applied to innovative programs that are being developed and implemented at the community level. This government understands that improving the health, circumstances and wellbeing of Aboriginal people is a goal that requires a long-term, visionary and strategic approach. The Suicide and Detrimental Lifestyles Grant Program is just one part of a larger effort by this administration that is helping to affect positive change at the local level in our communities across Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is indeed listening to the concerns of Aboriginal groups and is taking action. We will continue to make investments that demonstrate our commitment to address issues of importance to Aboriginal communities.

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