Métis Provincial Council of BC Whispering Winds... the voice of the Métis Community in British Columbia
Canada's New Government Supports the Métis Provincial Council of British Columbia Vancouver, February 24, 2007 - On behalf of the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, Jim Abbott, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage today announced funds of $146,369 for the Métis Provincial Council of British Columbia. These funds will support the council's day-to-day operations. "The Métis people have a rich cultural heritage," said Minister Oda. "We are proud to support this organization to ensure that the Métis people continue to have a voice in British Columbia and in Canada." "Canada's New Government is committed to enabling Aboriginal people to fully participate in the social, political, economic and cultural life of the country," said Mr. Abbott. "We are pleased to sup- port the Métis Provincial Council of British Columbia." "The help that such financial support will bring to the Métis Nation is crucial for our long term sustainability", said Bruce Dumont, President of the Métis Nation of British Columbia." "The Métis Nation has continued to leverage this fund- ing to support a number of Métis specific initiatives each year that continue to
address the socio-economic needs of our New Government will provide funding Métis communities." through the Aboriginal Organizations component of the Aboriginal Peoples' "The Métis people have a rich cul- Program. This Department of Canadian tural heritage," said Minister Oda. Heritage program aims to maintain a "We are proud to support this consultative framework of Inuit, Métis organization to ensure that the and Non-Status Indian representative Métis people continue to have a organizations through which govern- ments can address the social, economic, voice in British Columbia and in political, and cultural issues affecting the Canada." lives of Canada's Aboriginal peoples. This funding will enable the Métis Provincial Council of British Columbia to continue to consult members, address their needs and concerns, and work with various levels of government on behalf of its constituency. In addition, the fund- ing will work to build the capacity of the Métis Provincial Council of British Columbia to maintain communications with its membership, including those in remote communities, and to enhance community input into policy and pro- gram development processes. The Métis Provincial Council of British Columbia is an Aboriginal organization that represents the rights and inter- ests of Métis people living in British Columbia. Canada's
Information: Véronique Bruneau, Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women Telephone: (819) 997-7788 Donald Boulanger, A/Chief Media Relations Canadian Heritage Telephone: (819) 994-9101 (This news release is available on th e
Internet: www.canadianheritage.gc.ca under Media Room.) Canadian Heritage, News Release.
President Dumont, Senator Gerry St. Germain and Jim Abbott, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage 7
Spring 2007