Premier recognizes National Aboriginal Awareness Week, May 22 – 25, 2012

May 22, 2012
For immediate release

Premier’s Office

Throughout National Aboriginal Awareness Week, we have a special opportunity to better understand the impact which Aboriginal peoples and cultures have had, and continue to have, on our unique Canadian identity, says Premier Robert Ghiz, Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs.

“This year’s theme, Looking back, moving forward, encourages us all to learn more about the ways in which Canadian society and culture are shaped by the contributions of Aboriginal peoples, both past and present,” said Premier Ghiz. “Some public service employees in Prince Edward Island have been learning more about the Mi’kmaq First Nations not only as the original inhabitants of the Maritime Provinces, but as vibrant and contributing members of present-day society.”On May 23, in recognition of National Aboriginal Awareness Week, certificates will be presented to provincial government staff who have completed an Introduction to the Mi’kmaq of P.E.I. course, recently offered by the Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat in partnership with the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island.

“I want to commend everyone who participated in this learning opportunity,” said Premier Ghiz. “It is important that we all understand the unique culture and heritage of Aboriginal peoples and their valuable contribution to the development of our country.”

National Aboriginal Awareness Week is co-ordinated locally by the Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat with the cooperation of the Diversity Program, through the P.E.I. Public Service Commission. The Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat works on behalf of the province to implement the Canada/ Prince Edward Island/ Mi’kmaq Partnership Agreement.

For more information, visit www.gov.pe.ca/aboriginalaffairs.

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Media Contact: Amber Nicholson