Canadian Heritage
News Release

Vancouver, February 24, 2007 – On behalf of the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, Jim Abbott, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage today announced funds of $146,369 for the Métis Provincial Council of British Columbia. These funds will support the council’s day-to-day operations.

“The Métis people have a rich cultural heritage,” said Minister Oda. “We are proud to support this organization to ensure that the Métis people continue to have a voice in British Columbia and in Canada.”

“Canada's New Government is committed to enabling Aboriginal people to fully participate in the social, political, economic and cultural life of the country,” said Mr. Abbott. “We are pleased to support the Métis Provincial Council of British Columbia.”

“The help that such financial support will bring to the Métis Nation is crucial for our long term sustainability”, said Bruce Dumont, President of the Métis Nation British Columbia.” “The Métis Nation has continued to leverage this funding to support a number of Métis specific initiatives each year that continue to address the socio-economic needs of our Métis communities.”

This funding will enable the Métis Provincial Council of British Columbia to continue to consult members, address their needs and concerns, and work with various levels of government on behalf of its constituency. In addition, the funding will work to build the capacity of the Métis Provincial Council of British Columbia to maintain communications with its membership, including those in remote communities, and to enhance community input into policy and program development processes.

The Métis Provincial Council of British Columbia is an Aboriginal organization that represents the rights and interests of Métis people living in British Columbia.

Canada's New Government will provide funding through the Aboriginal Organizations component of the Aboriginal Peoples' Program. This Department of Canadian Heritage program aims to maintain a consultative framework of Inuit, Métis and Non-Status Indian representative organizations through which governments can address the social, economic, political, and cultural issues affecting the lives of Canada's Aboriginal peoples.

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Information :

Véronique Bruneau
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
and Status of Women
819 997-7788

Donald Boulanger
A/Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819 994-9101