NLIS 3
November 4, 2005
(Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs)
Funding announced for
Junior Achievement program at school in Conne River
Tom Rideout, Minister responsible for
Aboriginal Affairs, today announced funding valued at $1,000 for the
newest program of Junior Achievement to be offered at St. Anneway
Kegnomogwom School in Conne River.
Minister Rideout said: �Government is extremely pleased to be able
to contribute to this worthwhile initiative. This will be a
tremendous experience for students attending this school, as the
programs offered by Junior Achievement of Newfoundland and Labrador
introduces students to new career opportunities and teaches them the
concepts involved in running a business.�
The mission of Junior Achievement of Newfoundland and Labrador is to
inspire and educate young Canadians to experience free enterprise,
understand business and economics, and develop entrepreneurial and
leadership skills.
�Our government is committed to ensuring that schools in aboriginal
communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador have access to
strong educational programs,� said Minister Rideout. �Education
provides for and nurtures many essential attributes that will
contribute to the further development of aboriginal communities in
our province and the growth of these young people as individuals.�
�To that end,� continued the minister, �our government supports
initiatives such as those promoted and offered by Junior
Achievement, as they greatly contribute to the overall educational
experience of students.�
Chief Misel Joe of the Miawpukek First Nation said: �It is a great
honour to have the Junior Achievement program incorporated into Set
A�nwey Kina� matino �kuom (St. Anne�s School) for it is the mission
of the Miawpukek First Nation to preserve, promote and advance the
culture, health, economic, educational and social well being of our
people � including our language, history and spirituality.
�We appreciate the contribution from Minister Rideout to our
students in Conne River, as programs such as the Junior Achievement
will help develop and nurture skills in our students that will
benefit the entire community. For those who are involved in the
program will one day be leaders of Miawpukek,� said the Chief.
�Junior Achievement is extremely proud to be delivering the Company
Program � A Student Venture to the enterprise class at St. Anneway
Kegnomogwom School in Conne River,� said Pamela Walsh, Program
Manager with Junior Achievement of Newfoundland and Labrador. �As
the flagship program of Junior Achievement, Company Program provides
students with the opportunity to not only learn about business, but
to actually experience start-up, operation and liquidation. This
program is helping rural youth see that they have the ability to
create meaningful work for themselves.�
The minister added that government has made progress toward
improving the provincial school system to accommodate the needs of
aboriginal children and youth in our province.
Minister Rideout said: �Last year, the Department of Education
introduced a new religious education program in the elementary and
intermediate levels that included more information about aboriginal
spirituality. Our government also fully supports the introduction of
aboriginal-specific curriculum in the schools in aboriginal
communities and, more generally, support the incorporation of
aboriginal history in the provincial curriculum.�
�Education is a key focus in the Innu Healing Strategy and in self
government for the Labrador Inuit,� continued the minister. �It will
be a major focus of the First Ministers� Meeting with aboriginal
leaders this fall.�
Minister Rideout said: �Our government is committed to increasing
the participation and success of aboriginal people in post-secondary
educational institutions. Exposure to a strong education system,
including the initiatives of Junior Achievement, will better prepare
aboriginal youth for these challenges.�
Photo #1: Chief Misel Joe of the Conne River Miawpukek First Nation,
Tom Rideout, Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs and Pamela
Walsh, Program Manager with Junior Achievement Newfoundland and
Labrador.
Media contact: Lori Lee Oates, ABC, Communications, (709) 729-3015,
690-8403
2005 11 04
2:20 p.m. |