June 20, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aboriginal youth funding slashed by Federal Government
VICTORIA, BC – Aboriginal non-profit agencies across BC are reeling with the unexpected news of a $3 million funding freeze to a long-standing and highly successful youth services program called Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth. This sudden announcement by the Federal Government represents a significant proportion of each agency's annual operating budget. The severity of this cut means that some organizations may potentially have to close their doors.
Until now, the Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth (CCAY) program has been a $22 million, Canada-wide initiative that supports off-reserve Aboriginal youth aged 10-24 years to enhance their economic, social, cultural and personal prospects.
"The Federal Government tells us they have to cut this funding because it doesn't promote job creation," says an outraged Paul Lacerte, Executive Director of the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres, "and yet that is exactly what CCAY does."
CCAY funding is used by Friendship Centres and other Aboriginal agencies to create opportunities for Aboriginal youth to explore and learn about Aboriginal languages and cultures, promote their engagement in the community, and build cultural awareness in the community at large.
"Programs like CCAY are building an Aboriginal workforce that is strong and sustainable," continues Lacerte. "We know that Aboriginal youth have better outcomes when they have access to culturally appropriate life and job skills development services."
One of the hallmarks of the CCAY program, according to BC Program Manager Naomi Graham, is that it builds self-confidence and self-esteem.
"Vancouver Island Aboriginal communities are experiencing an unprecedented and astonishing rate of youth suicide," says Graham about the community that recently declared a state of emergency. "Cowichan youth unemployment is at an all-time high of 85%. Now is not the time to cut essential support services for Aboriginal youth."
Aboriginal youth is the fastest-growing demographic in BC. The Aboriginal labour force is expected to grow twice as fast as the rest of Canada's labour force in the next decade, so they will be an important part of the province and country's future economic growth.
Last year, almost 3,500 Aboriginal youth took part in CCAY programming, and accessed over 300,000 points of service. These figures directly translate into lower costs for other government services and a brighter future for Aboriginal youth.
"Aboriginal people face disproportionate risks and barriers to living long healthy lives, including the lowest life expectancy and graduation rates, and some of the highest rates of suicide, addictions, unemployment, poverty, victimization and incarceration," says Annette Morgan, President of the BC Assn of Friendship Centres. "Programs like CCAY close these gaps, and help to address the structural barriers that have precluded Aboriginal people from fully participating in Canada's economy."
Formal notice of the funding cut came from the Federal Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development on June 12, 2012, and is retroactive to April 1, 2012. This means that any funds expended by CCAY funded organizations during the first quarter of this fiscal year will not be reimbursed, leaving Aboriginal agencies scrambling to find money to cover their expenses.
"This decision will have a major impact on the Friendship Centre movement across the country and on our young people who depend heavily on these support services," says Lacerte. "Our staff are now exploring options for alternative funding and we are calling on all our allies to support our efforts."
The BCAAFC is an umbrella organization for BC's 25 Aboriginal Friendship Centres that offer a wide range of culturally relevant services and supports to Aboriginal people residing in urban and rural communities. These include job training and skills development programs, mental health and addictions counseling, literacy and early childhood education programs, and cultural support services for youth, families and elders.
For more information contact:
Naomi Graham,
Program Manager, CCAY
NGraham@bcaafc.com
250-388-5522
Paul Lacerte
Executive Director, BCAAFC
placerte@bcaafc.com
250-388-5522
http://sookinchoot.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment