News Release

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SAULT STE. MARIE – The Ontario government is promoting prosperity among urban Aboriginal peoples by investing in renovations to 23 Indian Friendship Centres throughout the province, David Ramsay, Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, announced today.

"Friendship Centres are very important as they are often the first point of contact for Aboriginal people arriving in urban centres," said Ramsay. "This investment will help the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres enhance their programs and services to better serve growing urban Aboriginal communities," he added.

The Ontario government is providing a $1 million capital grant under the Aboriginal Community Capital Grants Program (ACCGP), to be administered by the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres (OFIFC) to support the renovations. Census data shows the number of Aboriginal peoples living in most urban centres has doubled between 1981 and 2001, and in many cases tripled.

"The Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres is pleased to receive this capital grant toward renovation of a number of our Centres. This will permit the Centres to better respond to the needs of Aboriginal people in urban centres," said David Martin, President of the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres. "OFIFC is dedicated to changing the life experiences of urban Aboriginal people, particularly children by addressing what could become a permanent urban underclass of young, impoverished, under-educated Aboriginal people."

The ACCGP provides funding for projects involving the construction, acquisition, renovation and expansion of community, friendship and small business centres. Feasibility studies leading to the development of each project are also eligible. Further information on the ACCGP may be obtained by contacting the Ontario Secretariat for Aboriginal Affairs.

Through the New Approach to Aboriginal Affairs, Ontario is working to find ways for Aboriginal peoples to have greater involvement in matters that impact on their communities. Ontario announced its New Approach in June 2005 to support its vision of prosperous and healthy Aboriginal communities that create a better future for Aboriginal children and youth.

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Contacts:

Anne-Marie Flanagan
Minister Ramsay’s Office
416-327-0654
 

Disponible en français

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Background Information: FUNDING FOR THE ONTARIO FEDERATION OF INDIAN FRIENDSHIP CENTRES, SPRING 2006

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