Harper Government Partners with Cape Breton University to Help Increase Jobs and Opportunities for Aboriginal Peoples

WINNIPEG, March 13, 2015 /CNW/ - The Harper Government has partnered with Cape Breton University to increase Aboriginal participation in business and entrepreneurship which ultimately will provide Aboriginal people with the skills and tools needed to further participate in our economy.

Mark Strahl, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, participated today, on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, at the University's In.Business – A Business Network for Indigenous Youth Conference.

Parliamentary Secretary Strahl joined 60 students and 13 mentors from Winnipeg and Iqaluit to take part in hands-on activities and presentations while celebrating and fostering interest in Aboriginal business.

Our Government is providing up to $1 million annually over five years to support the Cape Breton University Purdy Crawford Chair in Aboriginal Business Studies with the University providing matching private contributions.

The goal of this initiative is to increase the participation of Aboriginal people in the study of business at the post-secondary level, and it will:

• Establish a national business mentorship program for Aboriginal youth;
• Develop business curriculum resources; and
• Create a social network to connect Aboriginal business students with mentors and role models.

The University of Winnipeg has been chosen as the first in a network of four planned Business Hubs in addition to Cape Breton University.

Quick Fact

• The Government' of Canada's support for the Purdy Crawford Chair was announced in Economic Action Plan 2013. 
  

Quote

"Our Government is delivering results by creating a brighter future for Aboriginal youth – one that recognizes the existing contribution and realizes the tremendous potential of Aboriginal entrepreneurship to our economy and promotes independence and self-reliance for Aboriginal communities."

Mark Strahl
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

SOURCE Government of Canada