Enabling First Nations to participate fully in the economic prosperity of our country

January 21, 2015 – Red Deer, AB – Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

Earl Dreeshen, Member of Parliament for Red Deer, on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, announced support to the Red Deer Native Friendship Society for a project aimed at helping increase the participation of urban Aboriginal people living in Red Deer in the local economy.

With support for the Harper Government, the Red Deer Native Friendship Society will participate in the development and implementation of a community strategic plan to better address barriers to employment for urban Aboriginal people living in Red Deer, Alberta.

The creation of an urban Aboriginal community strategic plan for the city of Red Deer is being coordinated by the Urban Aboriginal Voices Society. The plan will bring together local governments, Aboriginal organizations, the private and not-for-profit sector in a coordinated effort to better address the needs of urban Aboriginal people in the Red Deer area.

Additionally, this project will feed into the development of the Urban Aboriginal Strategy Regional Strategic Plan for Alberta to ensure that efforts are aligned with the provincial government’s economic and job creation priorities. Both the regional and community strategic plans will ensure a coordinated and focussed effort in support of urban Aboriginal peoples across the province in acquiring the necessary skills for employment.

Funding is provided as part of the Government of Canada’s Urban Aboriginal Strategy aimed at increasing the participation of urban Aboriginal people in Canada’s economy by developing partnerships and supporting initiatives in communities across the country.

Quick facts
The Red Deer Native Friendship Society received $48,300 from the Urban Partnerships program in support from Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada’s improved Urban Aboriginal Strategy.
The Red Deer Native Friendship Society is an incorporated, non-profit Aboriginal organization that administers and implements programs for Aboriginal people living in or relocating to Red Deer, Alberta.
56% of all Aboriginal people in Canada live in urban areas.
4,595 Aboriginal people live in Red Deer.
Quotes

“Our Government is proud to provide funding to the Red Deer Native Friendship Society. Supporting measures that help create jobs and encourage Aboriginal participation in the economy is a clear demonstration of our Government’s commitment enabling Aboriginal people to take advantage of our country’s economic prosperity.”

– Bernard Valcourt,
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

“Our Government continues to take concrete steps that support the increased participation of Aboriginal people in the economy of the city of Red Deer. Through this project, the community will develop ways to reduce the barriers that urban Aboriginal people face in gaining meaningful employment.”

– Earl Dreeshen,
Member of Parliament, Red Deer

“This funding will provide opportunity for Urban Aboriginal Voices Society and Red Deer Native Friendship Society to further the Common Ground Initiative recommendations with the City of Red Deer strategic direction so that the lives of Aboriginal people in Central Alberta will be improved through self-determination.”

– Tanya Schur,
Executive Director, Red Deer Native Friendship Society
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Additional links
Contacts

Emily Hillstrom
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
819-997-0002

Media Relations
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
819-953-1160

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Source:: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=923739&tp=1