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.


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