Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
June 19, 2009
National Aboriginal Day a Time to Celebrate Culture and Tradition
Sunday, June 21, is National Aboriginal Day and the Honourable Patty
Pottle, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, encourages everyone to take part
in events and activities happening throughout Newfoundland and Labrador
in recognition of this day.
"This province has a rich and varied Aboriginal population with a
heritage that dates back thousands of years," said Minister Pottle.
"During National Aboriginal Day, it is important that we recognize and
celebrate the contributions Aboriginal people have made to the cultural
mosaic of Newfoundland and Labrador."
Community events include:
Nain � day-long events hosted by the Nain Inuit Community
Government;
Happy Valley-Goose Bay � afternoon events at the Kinsmen
Park, hosted by the local National Aboriginal Day Committee;
Conne River � a day at the Arts and Exploration Centre with
many events including traditional craft making, Aboriginal story
telling, and traditional drumming and singing, hosted by the
Miawpukek First Nation;
St. George�s Indian Band � hosting a sunrise ceremony,
community breakfast, and children�s activities; and,
Port au Port Band � hosting a Mi�kmaq mass with drumming,
followed by a community feast.
The Williams Government continues to work to improve the wellbeing
and circumstances of Aboriginal people. Budget 2009: Building on Our
Strong Foundation saw the Government of Newfoundland and
Labrador build on its unprecedented record of investments in
programs, services and infrastructure for the direct and indirect
benefit of Aboriginal communities. Investments include the following:
$7,040,708 to the Nain Inuit Community Government for a new
water supply system, for a total investment of $12,424,779,
cost-shared among governments;
$2 million for a new pre-trial detention facility in Happy
Valley-Goose Bay;
$206,000 for an Innu Healing Path pilot program;
$100,000 for Suicide and Detrimental Lifestyles grants;
$60,000 to the Rigolet Partnership Against Family Violence
towards its goal of establishing a shelter in Rigolet;
$57,300 to make the position of Inuit court clerk in Happy
Valley-Goose Bay permanent;
$50,000 to support a provincial working group, that includes
Aboriginal women, formed to review the recommendations of the
National Aboriginal Women�s Summits, held in Newfoundland and
Labrador in 2007 and in Yellowknife in 2008; and,
Establishment of a mobile mental health crisis team of three
mental health professionals to support Aboriginal communities in
Labrador.
"On this day of reflection and celebration, I am pleased to point out
that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador continues to make
progress with Aboriginal groups as each moves forward with its agenda
for social and economic development," said Minister Pottle. "Our
government is committed to addressing the concerns of Aboriginal people
and recognizes that the individual and collective voices of Aboriginal
people are essential to determining our way forward as a province and as
a people with a unique and diverse cultural heritage. That is truly
something to celebrate on this National Aboriginal Day."
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Media contact:
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
709-729-1674
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca
2009 06 19 9:55 a.m.
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