Harper Government Takes Tangible Action that Puts Key Information on Violence Prevention at the Fingertips of Aboriginal Women and Girls

OTTAWA, June 18, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, and the Honourable Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women, today announced the Government of Canada is taking tangible action to support innovative initiatives that will address violence against Aboriginal women and girls.

The Government is providing the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) with $1 million over three years to help put important information about violence prevention and relevant resources into the hands of Aboriginal women, girls, youth, men, and boys.

This is an important first step as the Government takes action on the commitment made at the National Roundtable on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls held last February, to develop a pan-Canadian prevention and awareness campaign.   

In addition, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) issued a directed call for proposals to National Aboriginal Organizations for an amount of up to $100,000 each. This funding will enable these organizations to work in collaboration with the NAFC on further development of the mobile platform to ensure culturally-relevant and expert information, advice and views going forward.

Quick Facts

• This funding will contribute to a mobile web platform being launched by the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) Saturday June 20, which will provide important information and resources to address violence against Aboriginal women and girls.
• The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) is a network of 117 Friendship Centres from coast-to-coast-to-coast. Friendship Centres are the primary providers of culturally-enhanced programs and services to urban Indigenous people.
• AANDC is contributing $250,000 in 2015-16 and Status of Women Canada (SWC) is contributing $750,000 from 2015 to 2018.
• The Government of Canada's Action Plan to Address Family Violence and Violent Crimes Against Aboriginal Women and Girls includes a range of measures, totalling nearly $200 million over 5 years, outlining concrete actions to prevent violence, support Aboriginal victims and protect Aboriginal women and girls from violence.
• In order to foster collaboration and extend the reach of the project, the Government has invited provinces and territories to contribute.

Quotes

"Our Government is committed to continue taking tangible action to address the broader challenges facing Aboriginal women and girls. This mobile platform is an innovative and tangible way to ensure important information and resources are available to those who need them. This is a first and important step towards the fulfillment to collaborate in awareness and prevention campaign made at last February's national roundtable on Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women and Girls."

Bernard Valcourt
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

"Our Government is taking strong action to protect Aboriginal women and girls. We are pleased to contribute to the National Association of Friendship Centres' mobile web platform to help promote the tools and resources available to Aboriginal women and girls. By working together we can help better prevent violence within communities across Canada."

Dr. K. Kellie Leitch
Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women Canada

"The Friendship Centre Movement is making a proactive contribution to ending violence against Indigenous women and girls. We developed the mobile platform to help in our work to reclaim safety in our communities now while harnessing new technologies that speak to youth."

Jeff Cyr
Executive Director of the National Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres

Associated Links

Action Plan to Address Family Violence and Violent Crimes Against Aboriginal Women and Girls
Government invitation to provinces and territories to contribute to the NAFC project
National Association of Friendship Centres

SOURCE Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada