Ottawa, Ontario -- March 9, 2010 - Today, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, is pleased to announce that Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide - First Nations, Inuit and Métis is now available in four Aboriginal languages.

"Our Government is ensuring that information about healthy eating is more accessible to Aboriginal people in Canada," said Minister Aglukkaq. "This food guide, which better reflects the values, traditions and food choices of Aboriginal populations, will now be much more accessible for First Nations, Inuit and Metis."

The translated food guide is now available in Woods Cree, Plains Cree, Ojibwe, and Inuktitut, in addition to English and French. The four Aboriginal languages were chosen to reach the largest numbers of speakers.

Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide - First Nations, Inuit and Métis was released in April 2007 as a complement to Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide and reflects the importance of traditional foods and store-bought foods for Aboriginal people. It can be an important tool for individuals, families and communities to learn about and share ways of eating well and being physically active.

"We are pleased that Health Canada has made Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide - First Nations, Inuit and Métis available in three First Nations languages. This will help our people better access important information about nutrition," said Regional Chief Angus Toulouse, who holds the portfolio for health at the Assembly of First Nations.

"We are pleased to have this food guide translated into the Inuit language," said National Inuit leader Mary Simon, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. "This will help ensure that we see ourselves reflected in this important tool, and as a result, it will be more meaningful for Inuit."

For more information on Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide – First Nations, Inuit and Métis ( http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/food-guide-aliment/fnim-pnim/index-eng.php ) please visit Health Canada's Web site.

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