Alberta government celebrates National Aboriginal Day
Inaugural $25,000 Aboriginal Quality of Life Award winner and new pilot project for Aboriginal students announced
Edmonton... The Government of Alberta augmented national Aboriginal Day celebrations across Canada by hosting a noon-hour gathering in downtown Edmonton, celebrating a $25,000 award winner and announcing a new pilot project under the Safe Communities Innovation Fund (SCIF).
“The Alberta government is proud to honour and celebrate the unique heritages and cultures of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples living in Alberta,” said Gene Zwozdesky, Minister of Aboriginal Relations. “Aboriginal peoples have much to offer to our province and country, and we value highly their ongoing contributions and participation in this regard.”
The new Aboriginal Quality of Life Award recognizes an organization that contributes to improving the quality of life in Aboriginal communities in Alberta. This year’s award winner is the Edmonton-based Aboriginal Youth and Family Well-Being and Education Society.
In addition, a $207,000 grant from the province’s SCIF program will enable the Edmonton Public School District to move forward with a pilot project titled The Way In. Funding for the project will allow Edmonton Public schools the opportunity to hire an Aboriginal Commitment Coach who will work with at-risk students in three junior high schools. Project partners include the Edmonton Police Service, YMCA, Mill Woods Family Resource Centre, Kids Up Front and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
“It is a priority of the government to build resiliency and capacity in First Nations, Métis and Inuit students,” said Minister of Education Dave Hancock. “This innovative project allows us to work together to pioneer new and creative practices to ensure Aboriginal students have the knowledge, skills, supports and confidence to complete their elementary and secondary education and successfully participate in post-secondary programs.”
The $60-million SCIF program was announced by Premier Ed Stelmach in November 2008 to strengthen and develop community-based projects and community-police partnership projects. The fund builds on the work of the Safe Communities Initiative that over the past year has added more police and Crown prosecutors, introduced anti-gang legislation, and developed a new tracking system for repeat offenders.
The Ministry of Aboriginal Relations leads the development of government-wide strategies and policies to enhance capacity and well-being of Aboriginal people in Alberta. A list of National Aboriginal Day events can be viewed at www.aboriginal.alberta.ca. Follow the National Aboriginal Day link.
Backgrounder
Aboriginal Quality of Life Award and The Way In pilot project
Aboriginal Quality of Life Award
The $25,000 Aboriginal Quality of Life Award was created by the Honourable Gene Zwozdesky, Minister of Aboriginal Relations, and is open to Alberta organizations working to enhance their communities in the areas of employment, health, education, youth supports, housing, justice, cultural preservation and supports for relationship-building. These factors are considered key quality-of-life indicators in any community.
The Aboriginal Quality of Life Award is unique because it recognizes organizations for achievements which benefit whole communities. Community groups or organizations – either non-profit or private sector – can apply for the award themselves or they can be nominated by members of their community. The funds must be used to continue or expand the work of the organization in its community.
A five-member selection panel reviewed the entries and made a recommendation to the Minister of Aboriginal Relations. The input of the committee provides an independent, non-government opinion from people with a variety of experiences and extensive background in Aboriginal issues. Criteria for selection included consideration of the following:
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What would happen if the organization did not exist?
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What type and range of clientele do they serve?
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How long has the organization been in existence?
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How is the program received by the community?
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Is there synergy with other organizations in the community?
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What are the measurable successes achieved by this organization?
Award Winner
The Aboriginal Youth and Family Well-Being and Education Society is a non-profit agency based in Edmonton’s Westmount School. It runs a variety of programs and works to promote success among Aboriginal children and youth by giving them the unique support and resources they need to complete their education.
Honourable Mention
The selection panel recommended that two other organizations also be acknowledged for their important contribution to their communities:
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Métis Nation of Alberta Association Local Council #1994 of Grande Cache, which serves members of the Métis community in the area; and,
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Miywasin Society of Aboriginal Services in Medicine Hat which provides a range of cultural, counselling, youth, and community services.
The Way In: Aboriginal Commitment Coach project
The Way In: Aboriginal Commitment Coach project is a partnership involving the Edmonton Public School District, Edmonton Police Service, YMCA, Mill Woods Family Resource Centre, Kids Up Front and Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the Government of Alberta.
Under the project, an Aboriginal Commitment Coach will work with students to help them build a vision for the future by learning where they have come from, where they are now, and help them establish possibilities for their future. The three-year pilot will operate in three Edmonton junior high schools where students will participate in traditional arts, crafts and celebrations, in addition to learning from their elders in the community. The Way In project is one of 18 Safe Communities Innovation Fund (SCIF) projects addressing at risk youth and families and one of seven projects addressing the needs of Aboriginal people.
The $60-million SCIF program was announced by Premier Ed Stelmach in November 2008 to strengthen and develop community-based projects and community-police partnership projects. The fund builds on the work of the Safe Communities Initiative that over the past year has added more police and Crown prosecutors, introduced anti-gang legislation, and developed a new tracking system for repeat offenders. For more information on the Safe Communities Innovation Fund please visit justice.gov.ab.ca/safe/scif.aspx.
