Executive Council
Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
March 23, 2010
Resource Development
Opportunities for Aboriginal Women Focus of Annual
Conference
Opportunities for
Aboriginal women in the province's growing resource
sectors will be the focus of the fifth annual, two-day
Aboriginal Women's Conference beginning today in St.
John's.
"It is essential for Aboriginal women to be provided
with information about employment opportunities within
the resource sector, including non-traditional
occupations and trades," said the Honourable Kathy
Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister
Responsible for the Status of Women. "We have raised the
bar in every major aspect of our province's resource
developments by ensuring appropriate employment and
business access planning is undertaken to create a
diverse workforce. We will continue to support economic
development initiatives that advance the role of
Aboriginal women in our economy."
The annual conference was organized by a steering
committee consisting of representatives from Aboriginal
groups across Newfoundland and Labrador and the Women's
Policy Office of Executive Council. Approximately 50
delegates from all regions of the province will attend
and help identify social, economic and educational
opportunities to advance the role of Aboriginal women.
The Provincial Government provided $60,000 in funding
for the conference and this year's theme is the Path to
the Good Life-Evolving Opportunities for Aboriginal
Women.
"The Aboriginal Women's Conference provides an important
venue for the gathering of Aboriginal women from across
Newfoundland and Labrador," said the Honourable Patty
Pottle, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. "This annual
conference is always a great opportunity to recognize
and celebrate the contributions of Aboriginal women.
This year it is also enabling women to discover the many
opportunities that exist for them within our expanding
resource sectors."
Nalcor Energy, Husky Energy, the Royal Canadian Mounted
Police, Women in Resource Development Corporation and
College of the North Atlantic will discuss employment,
training and education opportunities for Aboriginal
women. Stantec Limited will also present on the
development of women's employment and diversity plans.
The company provides professional consulting services in
several areas related to infrastructure and facilities
projects including planning, engineering, surveying,
environmental sciences, project management and
economics. Women's Employment Plans, which include
Aboriginal women, are now a required part of large-scale
resource development in the province.
Minister Dunderdale is the keynote speaker at tonight's
banquet. A cultural performance by the Kilautiup
Songuninga Inuit Drum Group is also planned. Minister
Pottle will address delegates tomorrow.
The first Aboriginal Women's Conference was held in
Happy Valley-Goose Bay in March 2006. Since that time,
the conference has informed the development of different
government policies and programs in areas including
poverty reduction and violence prevention training. The
conference provides an opportunity to identify and
advance solutions to improve the socio-economic
conditions of Aboriginal women in Newfoundland and
Labrador.
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Media contacts:
2010 03 23
9:35 a.m.
