News Release

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QUEEN'S PARK - Minister of Community and Social Services, Sandra Pupatello, met with Aboriginal leaders at the second annual Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy meeting at Queen's Park last week. The meeting was an opportunity to discuss shared priorities for the partnership, including the need to address the causes of violence in Aboriginal communities and continued support for programs that provide culturally sensitive services for Aboriginal peoples.

"The Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy has been a great success," said Pupatello. "However, we must continue our dialogue and our commitment to work collaboratively with our Aboriginal partners to make sure the Strategy continues to evolve to meet new challenges."

In 2004, the McGuinty government committed an additional $25 million to the Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy, increasing its five-year investment to $191.5 million. The additional funding supports new mental health and addiction services and strengthens primary health care and crisis intervention services to prevent and respond to family violence and youth suicide.

"As leaders of the Strategy, we have the collective ability to address systemic causes of violence," said Dawn Harvard, President of the Ontario Native Women's Association. "We are committed to championing enduring policies and initiatives so that Aboriginal women and their families can live free of violence."

Gary Lipinski, Chair of the Métis Nation of Ontario, expressed his sincere appreciation for the government's commitment to work with the Métis Nation of Ontario for a more positive future within the Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy.

Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler of the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation said he is looking forward to discussions with Ontario over jurisdiction and fiscal relationships.

The Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy is a unique partnership between the Government of Ontario and 15 Aboriginal organizations, First Nations and Métis to promote health and healing among Aboriginal communities. Programs and services are Aboriginal designed, delivered and reflect local culture and priorities. The Strategy has established more than 250 health and family violence prevention programs across Ontario, and created more than 650 jobs in Aboriginal communities.

"The Strategy is a partnership that has made a difference in the lives of Aboriginal people, but we still have a lot of work to do," said Grand Chief Denise Stonefish of the Association of Iroquois and Allied Nations. "The Strategy needs to continue to evolve and be flexible to accommodate the social and health needs of diverse Aboriginal, First Nation and Métis communities."

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Contacts:

Sara Best
Minister's Office
(416) 325-5219

 

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